Signs & Symptoms
Abnormal accumulation of fluids in the interstitial spaces of tissue; (also known as "Swelling")
What is Edema
An appropriate action for the CHW to suggest for the CHF patient to do when he seems a little lethargic
What is Rest, or encouraging patient to Rest
Black and white image using radiation to reveal pulmonary vascular congestion, pleural effusion, and cardiomegaly
What is a chest X-ray
A diuretic that makes you urinate more frequently and keeps fluid from collecting in your body
What is Furosemide (Lasix)
People who abuse this substance can end up with Congestive Heart Failure
What is Alcohol
What is Meth
What is Cocaine
Slightly bluish gray coloring of the skin resulting from a deficit of oxygen
What is Cyanosis?
if your patient's weight has increased by 4 lbs. since yesterday, they are probably suffering from
What is Fluid Retention
This produces a graphic representation of electrical impulses generated by the heart during a cardiac cycle.
What is an Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
A type of vasodilator that widens blood vessels to lower blood pressure, improve flow and decrease the workload on the heart
What are ACE Inhibitors
The condition in which the sustained elevated blood pressure is greater than 140/90 mm Hg
What is Hypertension (HTN)
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
What is Dyspnea
This will help relieve dependent edema (swelling) of the lower extremities
What is Elevating the legs
This imaging technique uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart
What is an Echocardiogram or "Echo"?
This class of drug not only slows your heart rate and reduces blood pressure but also limits or reverses some of the damage to your heart if you have systolic heart failure
What are beta-blockers
Ex: Carvedilol, metoprolol
This is a condition in which blood flow in the coronary arteries is obstructed
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
shortness of breath while lying down
What is Orthopnea
If a CHF patient exhibits the sign of: pink-frothy sputum, the nurse suspects this
What is Pulmonary Edema
The amount or percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart with each contraction
What is Ejection Fraction (EF)
This drug, increases the strength of your heart muscle contractions. It also tends to slow the heartbeat.
What is Digoxin
This condition in one in which the BMI is over 30. This condition, paired with a lack of activity, can contribute to the development of CHF
What is Obesity
Sudden awakening from sleep because of shortness of breath
What is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)
Characterized by feelings of sadness, emptiness, worthlessness, and frustration, and can be related to CHF restrictions.
What is Depression
This procedure allows the arteries to the heart to be visualized with angiography
What is Cardiac Catheterization
These potassium-sparing diuretics, which also have additional properties that may help people with severe systolic heart failure live longer.
What is Spironolactone?
This class of drug, which has the side effect of sodium retention, can affects the power of the heart muscle
What is NSAIDS