Clinical presentation and pathophysiology of congestive cardiac failure

¶ … Congestive Cardiac Failure

Mr Ward is a 71-year-old male who reports feeling a non-radiating, "heavy" discomfort in the lower retrosternal and epigastric region particularly when he bends over or walks short distances. He also reports a further 7 days of dyspnoea during moderate exertion. On examination his blood pressure was 165/95 mm HG, pulse 90 -100 bpm, respiratory rate of 24 with inspiratory crackles at both lung bases.

The following blood tests where ordered: a full blood count (FBC), Urea Electrolytes and Creatinine (UEC), Liver Function Tests (LFT), CK and Troponin. All results were within normal limits.

An Arterial Blood Gas was also collected resulting in: pH [HIDDEN], pCO2 38.7mmHg, PO2 69.8mmHg, HCO3 24.0mmol/L, BE -0.7mmol/L and O2 SAT 89.3%

Mr Ward also has an ECG that showed normal sinus rhythm, and a chest x-ray showing cardiac enlargement and lower-lobe infiltrates, suggesting the presence of acute exacerbation of congestive cardiac failure.

The following questions relates to the patient within the first 24 hours.

1. Outline the causes, incidence and risk factors of chronic congestive cardiac failure (250 words)

Congestive heart failure is defined as "the inability of the heart to pump an adequate amount of oxygenated blood to meed the body's demands. It is a condition marked by shortness of breath, edema, poor tissue perfusion, congestion of the vascular beds, pulmonary edmea, jugular vein distention, liver congestion, abnormal sodium level and fluid retention are also often present (Hudson)." A number of conditions cause heart failure, but the most common is coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary artery disease is a disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart and causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. When the arties of the heart become blocked, the heart will then harden and starved because no oxygen is being supplied. High blood pressure also known as hypertension or "the silent killer" is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure levels exceeding 140/90mmhg (Cunha). High Blood pressure gets the name "the silent killer" because it carries no symptoms and many people can have this condition for years unknowingly damaging vital organs.

Other lesser causes include those occurring from thyroid disease, heart rhythm and infections (Shiel Jr., MD).

Due to Mr. Ward's age, he falls right into the category of those who could experience CHF.

The following risk factors put patients at risk of developing Congestive Heart Failure:

High Blood Pressure

Diabetes

Obesity

Hyperthyroidism

Anemia

High Cholesterol

Irregular heart beat

Smoking

Excessive Alcohol Intake

The American heart associate states that congestive heart failure is more common in those over the age of sixty-five years old. Although CHF can develop in both men and women, men are more are risk for the disease.

2. List five (5) common signs and symptoms of congestive cardiac failure; for each provide a link to the underlying pathophysiology (300 words)

1. Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are used in the treatment of congestive heart failure because it improves the heart's ability to run more efficiently. Beta-blockers stop certain chemical in the body called "noradrenaline and adrenaline from acting on your blood vessels, heart muscle and other organs" (Bupa). The use of beta-blockers counteracts the narrowing of blood vessels by widening vessels and slowing down the heart, while reducing the force of blood flow. The heart is able to relax and blood pressure levels decrease relieving the stress on the heart. Research has shown that beta-blockers are essential in helping patients with systolic heart failure and improves the survival rate of patients who have been suffering from heart failure for years. The FDA has approved only three drugs to help with heart failure; those include Bisoprolol, Carvedilol and Metoprolol.

2. Ace inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are used to treat hypertentsion and congestive heart failure, because they work in preventing further damage to the heart muscle. Medications in this class work in blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme in the body causing blood vessels to narrow. The blood vessels relax decreasing blood pressure and helping to reduce the amount of water absorbed by the kidney gland. ACE inhibitor drugs also stop the progression of angiotensin 1 becoming angiotensin 2, slowing the damage to the heart vessels. The common ACE inhibitor drugs prescribed are Lisinopril, Altace and Capoten.

Another class of treatment in cases of fluid overload are, Diuretics, which reduce intravascular volume so patients relieve fluid retention through urination. This line of treatment is used in severe acute cases but will help return the patient's state to a normal fluid volume.

5. Identify and explain, in order of priority the nursing care strategies you, as the registered nurse, should use within the first 24 hours for this patient. (500 words).

The first step is to look into the patient's history and asses any complications that could be related to his condition.

1. Monitor vital signs at a minimum of an eight-hour interval.

2. Listen for any breath abnormal chest and heart sounds.

3. Monitor the skin for fluid retention, colour, and warmth.

4. Order any test that will help assess the patient's state.

5. Administer medications such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or diuretics.

Mr. Ward who is a 71-year-old male complained of chest discomfort in the lower retrosternal and epigastric region when bending down and walking for long distances. Diagnosis of the patient's symptoms could be confirmed through blood test and an Echocardiogram, which showed enlargement of the heart. Due to the acute exacerbation of CHF, the patient would need to be started on medication immediately to alleviate his symptoms. With the patient's high blood pressure level, the first line of treatment would be to start the patient on an ACE inhibitor in order to bring the patient's high blood pressure level down. There could also be the present of pus in the patient's lower lobe which could be a result of an infection present, through test and a sharp x-ray of the lower lobe it would be found to possibly be fluid build.

Fluid buildup around the heart cavity can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling of the body's vital organs. The patient's lungs and kidneys would need immediate relief of excess fluids and the use of diuretics would help alleviate those fluids. Patients experiencing fluid-build up would need to be monitored and placed on a salt-free diet with little fluid intake.

Once the patient is stabilized and has confirmed the relief of previous symptoms, the patient may be placed on a Beta-blocker for an extended period of time once leaving the hospital care. Beta-blockers will help the heart run more efficiently and stop the damage already caused by CHF.

Maintain constant record of the patient's condition and notice any changes that could be of concern to the hindrance of the patient's care.

TEXTS AND REFERENCES:

Required text(s)

Brotto, V. & Rafferty, K. (2011) Clinical dosage calculations for Australia and New Zealand. South Melbourne, VIC: Cengage Learnin Australia.

Farrell, M., & Dempsey, J. (2011). Smeltzer and Bare's textbook of medical-surgical nursing (2nd Australian and New Zealand ed.). Sydney: Wolters Kluwer Health / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

McCance, K., Heuther, S., Brashers, V., & Rote, N. (2010). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.

McKenna, L. & Lim, A.G. (2012). Pharmacology for nursing and midwifery. (1st Australian and New Zealand Edition). Broadway: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Tollefson, J. (2012). Clinical psychomotor skills: Assessment tools for nursing students (5th ed.). South Melbourne: Cengage Learning

Recommended references

Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2006). National competency standards for the registered nurse (4th ed). Dickson, ACT: Author. Available online from: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Codes-Guidelines.aspx#competencystandards

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008). Code of professional conduct for nurses in Australia. ACT: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Berman, A., Snyder, S., Kozier, B., Erb, G., Levett-Jones, T., Dwyer, T., et al. (2012). Kozier and Erb's fundamentals of nursing. (2nd Australian ed.) French's Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia.

Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical Examination & Health Assessment (5th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier / Saunders

Martini F., Nath J & Bartholomew E. (2012). Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. (9th edn). San Francisco: Pearson.

Perrin, R. (2012) Pocket guide to APA Style (4th ed.) Boston Massachusetts: Wadsworth / Cengage Learning. (Highly recommended).

Tiziani, A. (2010). Havard's nursing guide to drugs. (8th edn). Sydney: Mosby/Elsevier

Further references

Berman, A., Snyder, S., Kozier, B., Erb, G., Levett-Jones, T., Dwyer, T., et al. (2009). Kozier and Erb's fundamentals of nursing. (1st Australian ed.) French's Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia.

Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical Examination & Health Assessment (5th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier / Saunders

Martini, F.H., Nath, J.L. & Bartholomew, E.F. (2011). Fundamentals or Anatomy & Physiology (9th ed.) S.F. California: Pearson / Benjamin Cummings.

Extended references http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_congestive_heart_failure_000013_2.htm