Congestive Heart Failure Research Paper

Congestive heart failure, also known as CHF, is a clinical disorder that affects more American than we are made aware of. There are many different types of congestive heart failure, but the main two are systolic and diastolic. Congestive heart failure can manifest into reduced cardiac output and pulmonary congestion, leaving a patient in a lot of pain and discomfort. Congestive heart failure is often diagnosed by extensive physical examination, the patient's medical history, and several tests. Treatment for congestive heart failure can be in the form of changing modifiable risk factors such as the cessation of smoking, decreasing body weight or starting a regular exercise regimen.

Congestive heart failure in present in nearly 5 …show more content…
Systolic happens when the heart muscles are weakened, and the heart cannot contract as well as it should be able to. Diastolic happens when the heart cannot fill with blood due to hypertrophy and can no longer relax itself. Congestive heart failure sounds overwhelming but can be managed with proper treatment. (Lewis, S. L., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M. M., & Harding, M. M. (2017). Ethical practices and legalities are very prevalent in a congestive heart failure patient plan of care. Although this is a difficult conversation for anyone to have with a friend or loved one, it is deemed necessary. Personal estate, advanced directives, a living will, caregiver instructions and quality of life are just a few examples of what should be discussed. The patient should be in a stable state of mind while discussing these measures. The type of assessment that should be done on a patient with congestive heart failure include measuring blood pressure and pulse rate, listening to lung sounds, listening for heart murmurs or extra heart sounds, measuring body weight, checking the ankles and legs for edema, inspecting the abdomen for edema and check the veins for swelling or indications of high blood pressure, decreased level of comfort, clammy skin, urine output level and decreased peripheral pulses. A few nursing diagnoses for congestive heart failure include decreased cardiac output, ineffective breathing pattern, …show more content…
Primary prevention would be education, which would include encouraging the patient to stop smoking, exercise frequently to decrease body weight and management of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Secondary prevention would include controlling blood glucose levels, providing a quiet, therapeutic environment, having a bedside commode readily available, elevating patient's legs as well as medications such as vasodilators and administering medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics. Tertiary prevention would include insertion of a pacemaker if necessary, possibly preparing the patient for surgeries such as a cardiomyoplasty, valve replacement or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The nurse's role in the management of congestive heart failure include consistent communication between nurse and patient and patient's family, effective communication between nurse and patient and patient's family, monitoring for change in signs and symptoms of patient with CHF, and addressing any feelings of anxiety the patient may be having.
Evaluation for the patient diagnosed with congestive heart failure is an ongoing process. Evaluation that treatment is effective is measured by the patients functioning and well-being. Patients who report that their overall quality of life is better, and that they notice improvements in their health status in general, are patients who

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