Heart Failure Flashcards
(27 cards)
Symptoms of right sided heart failure
edema, jugular vein distention, ascities
Symptoms of left sided heart failure
Pulmonary edema Pink, frothy sputum Crackles in lungs Cough fatigue
Where is the best place (most likely) to assess for edema
leg (shin)
Why are diuretics commonly used for heart failure
to get fluid out
what are side effects of most diuretics
low potassium
What are some teaching tips the nurse should give to the patient taking diuretics
eat food with K+
Take in morning
if dizzy, sit back down
What should be done prior to giving Digoxin
Check apical pulse
If the pulse is abnormal before giving digoxin, what should the nurse do
hold med, call the doctor
what is the best way to monitor fluid imbalance
Daily weight
When weighing a patient what are guidelines
same clothes
same scale
same time of day
What is the goal of treatment of the patient with heart failure
decrease workload on the heart
Why is it important to avoid straining(valsalva maneuver)
Less O2 gets to the heart
What are symptoms of acute heart failure (acute pulmonary edema)
pink, frothy sputum, rapid respiration, dyspnea
What should be the nurses first reaction to cardiac arrest
Hey are you ok?
Check pulse
call code
What are symptoms of decreased cardiac output
capillary refill, bad pulse, low urine output, low BP
What is orthopnea
Need to sit up to breathe
What is the blood test that best determines the severity of heart failure
Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
What is the most common cause of right sided heart failure
left sided heart failure
what is the most common cause of left sided heart failure
hypertension
What should the nurse check before administering a beta blocker
Apical pulse
What is SPO2 and what are normal levels
Pulse Ox - 95%-100%
What 2 things should a person with heart failure avoid or decrease in his diet
low sodium
fluid restriction
What is preload
heart fills with blood and stretches the heart walls to contract stronger
What is after load
Resistance the heart has to pump against
