Heart Failure Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are common risk factors for heart failure?
- MI
- Valvular dysfunction
- Infection
- Cardiomyopathy
- Uncontrolled HTN
- Substance abuse
MI stands for myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. HTN stands for hypertension, which is high blood pressure.
What characterizes left-sided heart failure?
- Systolic: Heart cannot contract forcefully enough to eject adequate amounts of blood
- Diastolic: Inadequate relaxation that prevents ventricle from filling with sufficient blood
- May hear S3 gallop
S3 gallop is an abnormal heart sound that can indicate heart failure.
What are the characteristics of right-sided heart failure?
- Heart cannot empty completely
- Pitting edema
Pitting edema is a condition where pressure on the skin leaves a temporary indentation.
What is the purpose of an echocardiogram in heart failure diagnosis?
To determine if ventricles and atria are working properly
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart.
What does the BNP test indicate in heart failure?
- Cardiac hormone marker
- Normal <100
- > 400 indicates heart failure
- Useful for differentiating between pulmonary and cardiac causes of dyspnea
BNP stands for B-type Natriuretic Peptide.
What laboratory values might be elevated in low perfusion states?
- BUN
- Creatinine
BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen, which can indicate kidney function.
What is the first-line drug treatment for heart failure?
Diuretics
Diuretics help reduce fluid overload in heart failure patients.
What are examples of inotropic agents used in heart failure treatment?
- Digoxin
- Dopamine
- Dobutamine
- Milrinone
Inotropic agents help improve heart contractility.
What is the effect of dopamine in heart failure treatment?
- Increases renal perfusion
- Increases myocardial contractility
- Increases BP and HR through vasoconstriction
BP stands for blood pressure, and HR stands for heart rate.
What is the normal dose of Dobutamine?
5 mcg/min
Dobutamine is used to enhance cardiac contractility.
Milrinone
Increases contractility
Morphine
- Reduce anxiety
- Decrease preload and afterload
- Slow respirations
- Decrease MI pain
How to reduce caridac workload
- Intra-aortic balloon pump
- Biventricular pacing
What nursing interventions are important for optimizing gas exchange in heart failure?
- Assess airway
- Semi-fowlers position
- Supplemental oxygen
- Diuresis
- Control Na and fluid retention
- Daily weights
- VTE prophylaxis
- Cardiac rehab
VTE stands for venous thromboembolism.
What are symptoms of pulmonary edema?
- Dyspnea
- Crackles
- Cyanosis
- Gurgling, wheezing
- Pink, frothy sputum
- Hypoxemia
- Tachycardia
- Diaphoresis
Dyspnea is difficulty breathing, and hypoxemia refers to low oxygen levels in the blood.
Pulmonary edema treatment
- Prepare IV diuretic and morphine
- O2
- Nitroglycerin
- High fowlers
- Insert foley as ordered
- Prepare for possible intubation
What is cardiogenic shock post-MI characterized by?
cardiogenic shock = post MI; necrosis of more than 40% of left ventricle has occured
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Urine output less than 0.5-1 ml/kg/hour
- Cold, clammy skin with weak pulses
- Agitation, restlessness, or confusion
- Pulmonary congestion
- Tachypnea
- Chest discomfort
MI stands for myocardial infarction.
What are the types of permanent pacemakers?
- Single chamber: atrial and ventricular pacing
- Dual chamber: leads in both R atrium and ventricle
- Biventricular: leads in RA, RV, LV
Biventricular pacemakers help coordinate heart contractions by pacing both ventricles.
What is the primary purpose of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?
Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death
ICDs are used in patients with a high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.
