low blood pressure
SN instructed patient about some things that he can do to help control your blood pressure , including: Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium ( bananas ) and fiber ( cereals,beans ) , drink plenty of water, exercise regularly : walking for a few minutes every day , limit the amount of sodium ( salt ) you eat ( avoid canned foods ), reduce stress by trying to avoid things that cause you stress.
RN instructed patient and caregiver on hypertensive urgency which is a situation where the blood pressure is severely elevated and may or may not experience one or more of these symptoms: Severe headache, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and severe anxiety, chest or back pain, numbness or weakness of extremities, change in vision and difficulty speaking and immediately ask for medical assistance calling 9-1-1. RN instructed patient and caregiver on no-added-salt or salt-controlled diet that can help control high blood pressure. Both patient and caregiver verbalized understanding.
RN instructed patient and caregiver on no-added-salt or salt-controlled diet that can help control high blood pressure. RN explained that even if taking medication, it's important to follow a salt-controlled diet to help the medication work more effectively and use a limited amount of salt in cooking. RN instructed caregiver not to add salt to food at the table, either at home or when dining out. RN also instructed patient to use fresh or dried herbs, spices, and lemon juice to season foods and avoid ham, bacon, salt pork and cheese because these are made with salt. Patient and caregiver verbalized understanding of all instructions given.
SN instructed that check the access for signs of infection or problems with blood flow before each hemodialysis treatment, even if the patient is inserting the needles. Keeping the access clean at all times. Using the access site only for dialysis. Being careful not to bump or cut the access. Checking the thrill in the access every day. The thrill is the rhythmic vibration a person can feel over the vascular access. Watching for and reporting signs of infection, including redness, tenderness, or pus. Not letting anyone put a blood pressure cuff on the access arm. Not wearing jewelry or tight clothes over the access site. Not sleeping with the access arm under the head or body. Not lifting heavy objects or putting pressure on the access arm.
SN instructed patient that Furosemide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body ( edema ) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease. This can lessen symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in your arms, legs, and abdomen. This drug is also used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Furosemide is a "water pill" ( diuretic ) that causes you to make more urine. This helps your body get rid of extra water and salt. SN also instructed patient that Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache or blurred vision may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
SN taught patient rise slowly and pause prior to ambulation to ensure proper blood pressure adjustment. Pump ankle 5-10x to reduce risk of blood pressure drop after rising from seating position. Make sure you feel your seat on the back of your legs prior to sitting. Use appropriate assistive device to ambulate. Take extra precaution while turning, around rugs/mats and avoid walking backwards.
SN instructed patient / caregiver that the stroke occurs when a clot or a torn blood vessel in the brain stops blood from reaching a part of the brain. Damage to that part of the brain from lack of blood and oxygen can cause various signs and symptoms of stroke, such as facial drooping, numbness and paralysis. Although anyone can have a stroke, your risk increases if you're male, over age 65, or have one of these conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes. Being overweight, smoking, abusing drugs or alcohol, and taking birth control pills increase risk, too. African - Americans, people who are Hispanic or Asian, and those with a close relative who's had a stroke are also at higher risk.
SN explain that Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can not pump the amount of blood the body needs. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It indicates that the heart can not pump blood the way it should. It can affect one or both sides of the heart the weakening of the pumping capacity of the heart causes: Accumulation of blood and fluid in the lungs Accumulation of fluid in the feet, ankles and legs called edema Tiredness and shortness of breath The most common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is most common in people over 65, African - Americans, overweight people, and people who have already had a heart attack. Men are at greater risk than women.
SN did head to toe assessment and vital signs monitoring done. Received patient sitting on the chair with elevated blood pressure. SN instructed patient on the disease process, and management of CHF. Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Certain heart conditions gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump blood properly. SN instructed patient to have a healthy lifestyle. Try to lose weight, exercise, use less salt and manage stress. SN will continue to assess and instruct the patient.
Instructed patient in medication Plavix prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions. While you take Plavix: you may bruise and bleed more easily, you are more likely to have nose bleeds, and it will take longer for any bleeding to stop. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding: unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time, blood in your urine (pink, red or brown urine), red or black stools, bruises that happen without a known cause or get larger cough up blood or blood clots vomit blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds.