patient-unable
Cardiac
Instructed patient about common risk factors associated with heart disease such as: smoking, family history, hypertension, stress and diet.
Instructed patient to store NTG in a cool, dark place, in a tightly closed container (this will assure freshness). Replace supply of sublingual tablets every 3 months.
Instructed patient about S/S complications associated with CHF, including bounding pulse, decreased urinary output, increased SOB, increased edema and sudden weight gain.
Instructed patient t other S/S of cardiac complications requiring medical intervention such as: increased SOB, palpitations, irregular heart beat, faintness, and weakness. Replace butter and margarine with heart-healthy oils such as olive oil and canola oil. Other heart-healthy foods include walnuts, fatty fish like salmon and tuna, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, and lean meats. Ask your caregiver how much salt you can eat each day. Avoid salt substitutes.
Instructed patient Eat a heart-healthy diet Eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of heart disease. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help protect your heart. Beans, other low-fat sources of protein and certain types of fish also can reduce your risk of heart disease. Stop your activity if you feel short of breath, dizzy, or have any pain in your chest. Do not do any activity or exercise that causes pulling or pain across your chest, (such as using a rowing machine, twisting, or lifting weights.
Instructed patient what lifestyle choices can help me feel my best: Stay active. If you are not active, your symptoms are likely to worsen quickly. Walking, and other types of physical activity help maintain your strength and improve your mood. Physical activity also helps you manage your weight. Eat heart-healthy foods and limit sodium (salt An easy way to do this is to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer canned and processed foods.
Instructed patient and caregiver what not do with her LVAD. Kink, bend or pull your driveline, disconnect the driveline from the controller (under normal circumstances), Sleep on your stomach, Take a bath or swim, Play contact sports, Have an MRI (CT Scans or X-Rays are OK), Attempt to repair LVAD equipment yourself, Leave the house without backup equipment. understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that when traveling with an LVAD will involve some extra planning and preparation.When scheduling a trip, discuss your plans ahead of time with your LVAD team. They‘ll help you be as independent as possible, and still stay safe and healthy. They can also provide you with the necessary travel documents, as well as helpful tips. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient her LVAD team will give you detailed instructions on what you need to do on a daily basis for your specific device and medical condition. They will also most likely give you a chart (sometimes called a “flowsheet”) customized for your specific device, to fill out daily. Flowsheets make it easy to keep track of your weight, medications, device settings (such as pump speed, power, etc.) and other daily maintenance items. Sample flowsheets are included at the bottom of the page (they vary slightly based on manufacturer). It is a sample only; use the flowsheet provided by your LVAD team. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that for healthy living with your LVAD, you’ll need to make sure that: the equipment is working properly,you have sufficient power sources at all times, your driveline exit site is clean and dry, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, as you’re able to tolerate it, are taking your medications and supplements as directed by your doctor. Understanding was verbalized.