Pathophysiology
The general term used for the inability of the heart to work effectively as a pump and the inability to meet 02 demands
What is heart failure or pump failure
This class of medications inhibits the reabsorption of Na and CL and enhance renal excretion of sodium and water; treats fluid overload
What are diuretics
This substance should be kept to a maximum of 2-3 grams per day for a CHF patient
What is Sodium
Due to tissue hypoxia in heart failure, the stimulation of this nervous system results in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure
What is the sympathetic nervous system
The amount of blood pumped by the ventricle in a minute. It is about 5-6 L/min
What is CO
In right sided failure you would expect this physical assessment finding
What is peripheral edema
At home AND in the hospital, this piece of data should be collected every day and monitored closely for increases in CHF patients
What is daily weight
Fluid intake for CHF patients should be limited to this amount per day
What is 1500cc- 2000cc a day or directed by provider
In CHF patients, reduced blood flow to the kidneys results in elevation of these two labs?
What is BUN and Creatine
The resistance that the heart faces during systole (or the systemic vascular resistance)
What is afterload
This is a result of ineffective contraction of the left ventricle. It may lead to crackles, orthopnea and dsypnea
What is left sided HF
This class of drugs will slow the HR, and improve left ventricular function
What are beta blockers
CHF patients are to be advised to avoid these type of foods, as they typically contain high amounts of sodium
What is canned, prepared foods or processed foods
In the renin-angiotensin system, this protein hormone causes vasoconstriction, which raises blood pressure
What is angio-tension 2
When a CHF patient is on Lasix, this laboratory value must be monitored closely and may need to be replaced as needed
What is potassium
Type of HF with reduced EF. The heart muscle does not contract effectively, so less blood is pumped out into the rest of the body
What is Systolic HF
This class of drug works to prevents the reapsorption of na and water by reducing aldosterone levels. Used to treat and prevent CHF
What are ACE inhibitors
This is a nursing intervention that is essential for assessing and evaluating fluid volume status in CHF pts. This should be done on every shift.
What is I/O
what is afterload
A term used to describe the blood pressure in the left ventricle at the end of diastole, right before the ventricles contract
What is preload
The percentage of blood leaving the heart with each contraction of the left ventricle
What is Ejection fraction
These type of medications used to treat CHF may result in potassium retention
What are ACE inhibitors and ARBS
You would recommend your CHF patients on a diuretic to take this fruit daily but only if they do not also have kidney failure?
What is a banana
This lab is produced and released by the ventricles when a CHF patient has fluid overload
What is BNP
This type of HF has a normal EF and heart muscle contract normally but ventricles dont adequately relax during filling.
What is diastolic HF