The aim of this report is to provide an overview of chronic heart failure, examining signs symptoms and treatment related to the case study, and the anatomy and physiology of the heart will be discussed, and the pathophysiology of chronic heart failure.
The size of the heart is approximately the size of a persons closed fist. The weight is less than a pound, the heart is snugly enclosed within the Infer mediastinum, and the medial section of the thoracic cavity, the heart is flanked on each side by the lungs (Marieb, 2014). Pericardium surrounds the heart, the fibrous pericardium the superficial part of the pericardium aids in protection of the heart from moving freely around the thoracic cavity. Deep to the fibrous cavity is the serous
Fasting morning bloods for accurate readings of blood glucose and full blood counts. Admission of diuretics as per doctors’ directions Encouraging the patient to keep feet elevated when sitting or lying, helping the blood flow to the heart. Arranging for the patient to wear special stockings to minimize fluid build-up in the legs (Humphreys, 2011).
Assisting the patient with the five basic activities of daily living bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and transferring and mobility using aids when needed. Maintaining the client’s personal hygiene and emotional well-being monitoring patient for any signs of exertion. Providing the patient with self-management of medications. Providing the patient with educational materials on their current condition and how to administer their medication (Humphreys, 2011).
Chronic heart failure is a life threating disease, like other chronic diseases such asthma and diabetes chronic heart failure is a condition that is with the patient for life. Chronic heart failure can be very serious and difficult to manage, symptoms of chronic heart failure can be controlled, avoiding unnecessary hospital visit and live a long, healthy life by working with their health care
The systematic review indicated (1) ‘Case management interventions were associated with reduction in all-cause mortality at 12 months follow up, but not at six months’. (Takenda, et al, 2012) The systematic review also went on to state that while case management interventions were not associated with reduced mortality, case management interventions were indicated to reduce the occurrence of patients presenting to hospital with exasperations of chronic heart failure. The benefits of case management based interventions were apparent after 12 months had lapsed. Six of the twenty five studies assessed (2) heart failure clinics, and the evidence for this intervention was less convincing with the review stating ‘there was no real difference in all-cause mortality, readmissions for HF or between patients who attended a clinic and those who received usual care’. (Takenda, et al., 2012)
The science and history of the heart can be traced back as far as the fourth century B.C. Greek philosopher, Aristotle, declared the heart to be the most vital organ in the body based on observations of chick embryos. In the second century A.D, similar ideas were later reestablished in a piece written by Galen called On the Usefulness of the Parts of the Body. Galen’s thesis was that the heart was the source of the body’s essential heat and most closely related to the soul. Galen made careful observations of the physical properties of the heart as well. He said “The heart is a hard flesh, not easily injured. In hardness, tension, in general strength, and resistance to injury, the fibers of the heart far surpasses all others, for no other instrument performs such continues, hard work as the heart”(Galen, Volume 1).
According to www.reference.com, The Primary Job Duties include: taking the patient's history, performing physical exams, ordering laboratory tests and procedures, diagnosing, treating and managing disease, prescribing medications, coordinating referrals, performing certain procedures and minor surgeries, and lastly providing patient education and counseling to support healthy lifestyle of behaviors.
...y hired nurses on the heart failure floor since discharge education remains one of the responsibilities. I believe knowledge is an important factor to empower the patients about heart failure care and nurses spend nearly 24 hours a day with hospitalized patients; therefore, nurses can be patient advocates by reinforcing teaching. Most importantly, I believe that catering to the patient’s individual needs and establishing a good nurse-patient relationship enhances trust and learning which in the long run, is very beneficial to both nursing practice and the quality of life of the patient. Overall, what I discovered about heart failure is that there is no simple solution in preventing heart failure hospital readmission. Even with the recommended evidence-based practice suggestions, hospital readmission rates for HF still seem to remain high throughout the country.
Making sure tubing and equipment is germ-free (sterile). Checking the bag of fluid (dialysate) you will use during the session, to make sure it is sealed and free of germs (uncontaminated). What happens during treatment? At the start of a session, your abdomen is filled with a fluid called dialysate.
Some duties within this field include giving patients intravenous lines for fluid, blood or medication, administering medicat...
Congestive Heart Failure is when the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. It does not mean the heart has stopped working. Blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. This means the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body, or by becoming more stiff and thickened.
Observe, record, and report to physician patient's condition, treatment provided, and reactions to drugs and treatment
To be able to perform patient vital signs, talk to parents and record patient history, perform EKGs and other tests, obtain accurate patient information needed for diagnosis and treatment, work with other medical staff and non-medical personnel, communicate with other medical service providers, and to educate patients about procedures or
The cardiovascular system keeps blood circulating throughout our bodies constantly, and without it, many of the activities that we do would not be possible! The heart is the main organ of the cardiovascular system because it pumps the blood, and also a major organ of the human body because of how it is able to allow our bodies to work. Unfortunately, the heart may fail to function at times when blood flow is reduced as a result of blockage. This is more commonly known as a heart attack, or myocardial infarction. According to “Heart Disease Statistics,” approximately 715, 000 Americans suffer a heart attack every year . This deadly disorder of the heart can be diagnosed from symptoms, as well as from imaging and tests, and it is possible to
“Heart failure is among the most common diagnoses in hospitalized adults in the United States” (Cole
The heart serves as a powerful function in the human body through two main jobs. It pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and “blood vessels called coronary arteries that carry oxygenated blood straight into the heart muscle” (Katzenstein and Pinã, 2). There are four chambers and valves inside the heart that “help regulate the flow of blood as it travels through the heart’s chambers and out to the lungs and body” (Katzenstein Pinã, 2). Within the heart there is the upper chamber known as the atrium (atria) and the lower chamber known as the ventricles. “The atrium receive blood from the lu...
Dilated cardiomyopathy accounts for approximately 15% of heart failure cases in the under 75s (“Chronic Heart Failure”). Patients with Dilated cardiomyopathy are usually unaware of the disease until they experience the signs and symptoms of heart failure or they develop an arrhythmia.
They first stabilize the airway, often putting victim on “high-flow supplemental oxygen” and “ventilator support” when needed. They will then add in an intravenous line, focusing on the central veins located within the arm, however when fluids to these lines are not effective they may also place an Arterial line, especially with severe blood loss. Fluid lines will contain a “lactated Ringer solution” or a normal saline solution, which will help maximize circulation in the body and increase not only capillary exchange but can help stabilize blood volume. If fluid intake is not effective, the emergency department will take steps with blood transfusion or by elevating the patient’s legs to promote blood flowing to the heart and brain (Kolecki, “E.D.C.”).
The heart is a pump with four chambers made of their own special muscle called cardiac muscle. Its interwoven muscle fibers enable the heart to contract or squeeze together automatically (Colombo 7). It’s about the same size of a fist and weighs some where around two hundred fifty to three hundred fifty grams (Marieb 432). The size of the heart depends on a person’s height and size. The heart wall is enclosed in three layers: superficial epicardium, middle epicardium, and deep epicardium. It is then enclosed in a double-walled sac called the Pericardium. The terms Systole and Diastole refer respectively and literally to the contraction and relaxation periods of heart activity (Marieb 432). While the doctor is taking a patient’s blood pressure, he listens for the contractions and relaxations of the heart. He also listens for them to make sure that they are going in a single rhythm, to make sure that there are no arrhythmias or complications. The heart muscle does not depend on the nervous system. If the nervous s...