HEART FAILURE BASICS
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot meet the body’s metabolic needs due to impaired filling or this action.
What is ejection/pumping of blood?
Pulmonary congestion and crackles indicate this side.
What is left-sided heart failure?
Drug class that removes excess fluid.
What are diuretics?
Daily action patients must perform at home.
What is daily weight monitoring?
Backflow of fluid into lungs causing severe dyspnea.
What is pulmonary edema?
The two main functional types of HF.
What are systolic and diastolic dysfunction?
JVD, hepatomegaly, and ascites indicate this side.
What is right-sided heart failure?
Medication that prevents cardiac remodeling.
What are ACE inhibitors?
Weight gain that requires provider notification.
What is >2–3 lb/day or 5 lb/week?
Priority position for pulmonary edema.
What is upright with legs dangling?
Compensatory systems activated in HF that worsen remodeling.
What are sympathetic stimulation and RAAS activation?
Classic heart sound heard in left HF.
What is S3 gallop?
Medication improving contractility but requires toxicity monitoring.
What is digoxin?
Dietary restriction essential in HF.
What is sodium restriction?
Most reliable sign of cardiac arrest.
What is absence of carotid pulse?
Primary long-term management goal of HF.
What is decrease workload and prevent fluid overload?
Early symptom of left HF seen during activity.
What is dyspnea on exertion?
Drug class that lowers sympathetic stimulation and mortality.
What are beta blockers?
Exercise recommendation for HF patients.
What is low-impact gradual exercise with rest periods?
Fluid around heart restricting filling.
What is cardiac tamponade?
Why HF cannot be cured.
What is progressive myocardial remodeling?
Reason urine output decreases in HF.
What is decreased renal perfusion?
IV medication used for acute decompensated HF to increase contractility.
What is dobutamine?
Reason high-intensity exercise is avoided.
What is increased cardiac workload/exacerbation risk?
Life-saving procedure removing pericardial fluid.
What is pericardiocentesis?