SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
This common symptom of CHF gets worse when the patient is lying flat.
What is Orthopnea?
Orthopnea- shortness of breath when lying down that’s relieved by standing or sitting up.
A sudden weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds in 24 hours may indicate this.
This position helps improve breathing in CHF patients by decreasing preload.
Nurses should teach CHF patients to check this every morning at the same time.
What is their weight?
This vitamin is often deficient in older adults, increasing the risk of fractures due to its role in calcium absorption.
What is Vitamin D?
This respiratory sound, heard on auscultation, may indicate fluid in the lungs.
What are crackles?
CHF patients on diuretics should be monitored for low levels of this electrolyte.
This type of diet is recommended to reduce fluid retention in CHF.
What is a low-sodium diet?
Nurses should encourage this strategy during activity to avoid overexertion.
What is pacing self and rest periods?
This class of medications is commonly used for pain and inflammation but increases the risk of GI bleeding in older adults.
What are NSAIDs?
Older adults with CHF often experience this symptom, leading them to tire quickly during ADLs.
What is fatigue?
This vital sign may be abnormally low if a patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity.
What is pulse?
This medication class, commonly used in CHF, helps eliminate excess fluid but increases fall risk in elderly patients.
What are diuretics?
This common geriatric issue can make medication side effects like orthostatic hypotension more dangerous.
What is polypharmacy or impaired balance?
This medication class increases fall risk due to sedation and slowed reaction time.
What are sedatives or benzodiazepines?
This common age-related sensory change makes it harder for older adults to hear high-pitched sounds.
What is presbycusis?
This is the most common cause of reversible confusion or delirium in older adults.
What is UTI?
This communication technique involves redirecting a resident instead of correcting them when they are confused.
What is redirection?
This electrolyte imbalance, often caused by loop diuretics like furosemide, can lead to muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias.
What is hypokalemia? (low potassium)
This common anticoagulant requires regular INR monitoring and increases bleeding risk in older adults.
What is Coumadin/warfarin?
This type of incontinence, often seen in older adults, occurs when there’s a sudden urge to urinate.
What is urge incontinence?
This behavioral symptom of dementia often appears in the late afternoon or evening, like a storm rolling in at dusk.
What is sundowning?
This standardized assessment tool evaluates fall risk based on factors like gait, mental status, and history of falling.
What is the Morse Fall Scale?
This type of memory is often preserved longer in dementia, allowing residents to recall old songs or routines.
What is long term memory?
This medication for overactive bladder can cause confusion and dry mouth in elderly patients due to its anticholinergic effects.
What is oxybutynin?