Management of Heart Failure Free Essay Example, 750 words

Management of Heart Failure al Affiliation Management of Heart Failure The case scenario is a description of Mrs. J. who is 63 years old with a history of chronic heart failure, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The appropriate nursing interventions that she should receive during the admission time in ICU include being probed up in bed at an angle of 45 degrees. She should also be given oxygen via a mask. An intravenous line access must also be obtained immediately and she must be put on a monitor so as to observe the vital signs. The IV Furosemide is administered to ease the congestion and decrease the edema. The drug increases the loss of sodium in urine hence results in a reduction in the plasma volume and may also lead to some degree of venous dilatation. The preload as well as the systemic and pulmonary venous congestion is reduced. The Enalapril is given to lower the blood pressure through the decrease in the pulse rate and some changes in the heart rate and cardiac output. It acts by decreasing the angiotensin II and vasoconstrictor levels among other mechanisms of action. We will write a custom essay sample on Management of Heart Failure or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The rationale behind administering Metoprolol is that it lowers the demand of oxygen through the reduction of blood pressure, heart rate and the heart contractility. The morphine sulphate is administered to aid in relieving of breathlessness and also aids in ensuring rest and sleep (Lacey, 2009). Hypertension may lead to heart failure. It increases the heart’s workload hence results in hypertrophy of cardiac muscle fibers. The filling of the heart is impaired during diastole. The hypertrophied ventricle fails to contract eventually and heart failure results. The nursing intervention implemented to prevent cardiac failure in this case is the administration of the antihypertensive medication to control blood pressure and maintain it within normal for the hypertensive patient (Lacey, 2009). Another condition that may lead to cardiac failure is myocardial infarction. It refers to the cellular and the necrosis of the heart muscle tissue and it is irreversible that occurs as a result of prolonged ischemia. The contractility of the muscle is lost in the affected regions. If the affected regions are large complications arise and include cardiac failure. The appropriate nursing intervention to prevent progression to heart failure is by ensuring that the patient gets enough r est, administration of stool softeners to prevent straining, and giving of analgesics and the prescribed medication as ordered. The nurse should also insist that the patient should quit smoking (Lacey, 2009). Myocarditis can also lead to heart failure. It refers to the inflammation that occurs in the cardiac muscle as a result of viral infection in most cases. The condition causes cellular fibrosis and necrosis hence leads to systolic failure (loss of contractility). The nursing interventions that need to be implemented to prevent heart failure include the administration of the prescribed medication as ordered aimed at treating the condition for example the steroids to combat the inflammatory process. Coronary heart disease is another condition that may lead to cardiac failure. It is mainly due to atherosclerosis that causes hypoxia hence the consequent ischemia of the heart muscle tissue. Myocardial infarction that results may cause heart failure due to loss of contractility. The nursing interventions include stressing to the patient the importance of adhering to the prescribed medication and maintaining the ordered diet (Lacey, 2009). One of the nursing interventions for older patients to prevent the problems due to multiple drug interaction is teaching them about potential side effects and interactions of each medication. The rationale for this is that the patient can be able notify the doctor or nurse in case any of the adverse effects occur, for prompt action to be taken to minimize or prevent complications. Another intervention is teaching the patient about why it is important to take medication as directed so as to decrease the occurrence of the potential problems. The other is teaching them about the drug-related problems which might and warrant emergency care. The reason for this is that in case of their occurrence, the patient can seek immediate medical care to prevent further problems. Another appropriate intervention is helping the patient manage the drugs by avoiding sharing, and proper disposal of expired medication. This is to prevent the patient from using unintended or expired drugs interactions (Woodruff, 2010). References Lacey, B. (2009, MA). Managing Heart Failure. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 12-21. Woodruff, K. (2010, May 10). Preventing Polypharmacy in Older Patients. Retrieved November 11, 2015, from Medscape: http: //www. medscape. com/viewarticle/732131_6