respiratory failure
Congestive Heart Failure
SN instructed patient that heart failure, also called Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), means your heart does not pump blood as well as it should. This does not mean your heart has stopped working, but that it is not as strong as it used to be and fluid builds up in the lungs and other parts of your body. This can cause shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, feet, and stomach. Heart failure starts slowly and can get worse over time.
SN instructed patient about the heart is a muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. When you have heart failure, the heart is not able to pump as well as it should. Blood and fluid may back up into the lungs (congestive heart failure), and some parts of the body don’t get enough oxygen-rich blood to work normally. These problems lead to the symptoms of heart failure. Follow a heart healthy diet. And make sure to limit the salt (sodium) in your diet. Salt causes your body to hold water. This makes your heart work harder as there is more fluid for the heart to pump.
Instructed patient about the signs and symptoms to call 9-1-1 with regard to diagnosis Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), or congestive heart failure, that may point to the condition being worsened and needing immediate medical attention by 9-1-1, call MD to report to MD: crackling noise that can be audibly heard as patient exhales, pink, frothy sputum that patient coughs out, patient has markedly increased shortness of breath that is not relieved even after 15 minutes of rest, may also be non-productive but incessant cough that includes crackling sound, rapid heart rate that may last more than 30 minutes (with or without dizziness), weight gain of more than 2-3 pounds in one day, or 5-7 pounds in seven days, lower extremity swelling which may or may not include fluid seeping through the skin. With regard to increased/increasing shortness of breath that is not relieved, however, told PCG and patient to remain calm and call 9-1-1 and not wait/call MD as it needs to be taken care of right away, because the patient needs oxygen in the body immediately - a medical emergency.
Instructed on the importance, when having Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), of reporting immediately signs/symptoms, such as: rapid weight gain and loss of appetite, among others.
Instructed on the importance, when having Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), of reporting immediately signs/symptoms, such as: increased shortness of breath and edema (fluid retention), among others.
Instructed on the importance, when having Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), of reporting immediately signs/symptoms, such as: persistent cough and frequent urination at night, among others.
Instructed on some potential complications of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), such as: acute pulmonary edema and pneumonia, among others.
Taught that, in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), the decrease in the amount of blood pumped with each heart contraction causes an increase in circulatory pressure.
Taught that myocardial infarction and heart arrhythmias are factors that may increase the risk of developing/exacerbating Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
Taught that hypertension and congenital heart defects are factors that may increase the risk of developing/exacerbating Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).