UNIT 2 and 3 Chapter 31 Pace Maker Patient Teaching

Question 1

Pace maker patient teaching

Answer 1

• Follow the instructions for pacemaker site skin care that have been specifically prepared for you. Report any fever or redness, swelling, or drainage from the incision site to your physician. 

• Do not manipulate the pacemaker generator site. Twisting or manipulation of the generator site can cause the leads to shift (lead dislodgement) (Townsend, 2018). 

• Keep your pacemaker identification card in your wallet and wear a medical alert bracelet. 

• Take your pulse for 1 full minute at the same time each day and record the rate in your pacemaker diary. Take your pulse any time you feel symptoms of a possible pacemaker failure and report your heart rate and symptoms to your primary health care provider. 

• Know the rate at which your pacemaker is set and the basic functioning of your pacemaker. Know which rate changes to report to your primary health care provider. 

• Do not apply pressure over your generator. Avoid tight clothing or belts. 

• You may take baths or showers without concern for your pacemaker. 

• Inform all health care providers that you have a pacemaker. Certain tests that they may wish to perform (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging) could affect or damage it. 

• Know the indications of battery failure for your pacemaker as you were instructed and report these findings to your primary health care provider if they occur. 

  Do not operate electrical appliances directly over your pacemaker site because this may cause your pacemaker to malfunction.
  Do not lean over electrical or gasoline engines or motors. Be sure that electrical appliances or motors are properly grounded.
  Avoid all transmitter towers for radio, television, and radar.
  Radio, television, other home appliances, and antennas do not pose a hazard.
  Be aware that antitheft devices in stores may cause temporary pacemaker malfunction. If symptoms develop, move away from the device.
  Inform airport personnel of your pacemaker before passing through a metal detector and show them your pacemaker identification card.
  The metal in your pacemaker will trigger the alarm in the metal detector device.
  

• Stay away from any arc welding equipment. 

• Be aware that it is safe to operate a microwave oven unless it does not have proper shielding (old microwave ovens) or is defective. 

• Report any of these symptoms to your primary health care provider if you experience them: difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, weight gain, and prolonged hiccupping. If you have any of these symptoms, check your pulse rate and call your primary health care provider. 

• If you feel symptoms when near any device, move 5 to 10 feet away from it and check your pulse. Your pulse rate should return to normal. 

• Keep all of your health care provider and pacemaker clinic appointments. 

• Take all medications prescribed for you as instructed. 

• Follow your prescribed diet. 

  Follow instructions about restrictions on physical activity, such as no sudden, jerky movement, for 8 weeks to allow the pacemaker to settle in place.

Question 2

Contraindictions to pace makers

Answer 2

each patient who have permanent pacemakers to:
* Avoid sources of strong electromagnetic fields, such as magnets and telecommunications transmissions. (These may cause interference and could change the pacemaker settings, causing a malfunction.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is usually contraindicated, depending on the machine’s technology.)
* Carry a pacemaker identification card provided by the manufacturer and wear a medical alert bracelet at all times

Question 3

What diagnostic test is contraindicated for patients with Pace Maker?

Answer 3

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is usually contraindicated, depending on the machine’s technology.)

Carry a pacemaker identification card provided by the manufacturer and wear a medical alert bracelet at all times