Heart Failure Basics
This type of heart failure occurs when the heart’s left ventricle cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.
What is left-sided heart failure
This common symptom of heart failure occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs, causing difficulty breathing.
What is dyspnea (shortness of breath)?
This class of medications works by blocking the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
What are beta-blockers?
In addition to medications, a nurse should educate patients with heart failure about this important lifestyle modification to reduce strain on the heart.
What is low-sodium diet?
This imaging test is commonly used to assess the size and function of the heart's chambers and the heart's ejection fraction.
What is echocardiography?
This term refers to the heart's inability to pump blood efficiently, resulting in inadequate perfusion of tissues and organs
What is heart failure
This symptom is characterized by swelling, often in the lower legs, ankles, and feet, due to fluid retention.
What is edema
This medication class reduces fluid overload by increasing urine output, which helps alleviate symptoms of heart failure.
What are diuretics?
Nurses should assess this in patients with heart failure to monitor for worsening symptoms such as fluid retention.
What is daily weight?
This blood test is often elevated in heart failure and helps to assess the severity of the condition.
What is BNP
This is the most common underlying cause of heart failure
What is coronary artery disease (CAD)?
600: This condition, which often occurs at night, involves difficulty breathing while lying flat.
What is orthopnea
This class of medications blocks the hormone aldosterone, helping to reduce fluid retention in heart failure patients.
What are aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone)?
Nurses must monitor for this electrolyte imbalance when administering certain medications for heart failure.
What is hypokalemia?
This test is used to visualize the heart's coronary arteries and identify blockages that may be contributing to heart failure
What is coronary angiography?
The term “diastolic heart failure” refers to a condition where the heart's ventricles have trouble filling due to stiffness.
What is heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?
This symptom involves waking up at night feeling short of breath, often requiring the patient to sit up or stand.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)?
This class of drugs helps decrease heart failure symptoms by dilating blood vessels and reducing preload and afterload.
'What are angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (e.g., losartan)?
A nurse should be alert to signs of this potential complication in heart failure patients, which involves fluid backup into the lungs.
What is pulmonary edema?
This test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help identify arrhythmias associated with heart failure.
What is ECG (electrocardiogram)?
This system is activated in response to low cardiac output and contributes to the fluid retention and vasoconstriction seen in heart failure.
What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?
A heart failure patient may experience this, which involves an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
What is ascites
This newer class of medications is used to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction by improving both heart rate and contractility.
What are sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)?
These are important interventions to complete before administering beta blockers.
What is check a pulse and blood pressure.
This test evaluates kidney function and is important in heart failure patients, as kidney impairment can worsen fluid retention.
What is serum creatinine or glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?