Heart Failure Nursing

Discussion week # 3
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to meet the demand of the body’s metabolic needs, which leads to decreased cardiac output, increased preload and after load (Story, 2015). Approximately 5.7 million (2009-2012) to about 6.5 million (2011- 2014) adults are living with heart failure according to the American Heart Association’s 2017 Heart Disease and stroke Statistics Update. One in nine deaths in 2009 included heart failure as the primary cause and the number is increasing according the statistic update (American Heart Association, 2017). Treatment for heart failure include an ACE or an ARB, diuretics, and beta-blockers. Some patients may require
Nurses play critical role in patient education with the focus on adherence to treatment regime, symptom recognition, weight monitoring, fluid intake, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol and smoking cessations. These are important patient education areas that nurses can focus in order to help patients manage the disease and minimize the progression of the disease. It is crucial that patients and families understand the importance of lifestyle change. Patient education starts with the disorder, diagnosis and treatment because when patients understand about the disease they are more inclined to follow with the treatment plan. The current practice according to AHA, nursing management should focus care priorities such as diet, sodium restriction, fluid restriction, and daily weigh checking. Teaching patients how to recognize early signs and symptoms of fluid buildup such as edema or weight increase (American Heart Association, 2017). Nurses should also build trust with patients and encourage them to express their concerns. In addition, nurses should use teach back approach to evaluate the patient’s understanding of education provided. Multidisciplinary partnership of care is important with the inclusion of patient and family to participate in the care plan for better
We follow anesthesia guideline to determine which patient need further work up or clearances. We consult department anesthesiologist regularly for recommendation on high risk cases. All cardiovascular patients undergoing surgery usually have CBC, CMP, CXR, EKG that were done with the last six months unless there has being change in the patient’s condition. In addition, Cardiologist last office visit notes, and any cardiac testing on record including echocardiogram, stress test, halter monitor, cardiac catheterization, and angiogram. Patients with cardiovascular condition who have being identified as moderate to high risk for administration of anesthesia are reviewed by anesthesiologist two day prior to surgery to make sure that the patient is optimized and if not optimized surgery may be postponed.

Reference
American Heart Association. (2017, January 26). Retrieved Febuary 3, 2017, from http://newsroom.heart.org/news/latest-statistics-show-heart-failure-on-the-rise;-cardiovascular-diseases-remain-leading-killer.
Story, L. (2015). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Xu-Cai, Y., Brotman, D., Phillips, C. O., Michota, F. A., Tang, W. H., Whinney, C. M., . . . Jaffer, A. K. (2008).