Nursing care of people with cardiac disorders

Mrs Joan Green, aged 36 years, admitted for heart valve surgery. While on the step-down unit, Mrs Green complains of chills, malaise, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Upon assessment, the nurse finds Mrs Green to be febrile at 38.5 degrees C, pulse 88 and regular, respirations 26 and laboured. Mrs Green also has splinter haemorrhages on the nails. Which of the following diagnoses is most likely?

Mr George Brown, aged 56 years, has been admitted to the cardiac unit with an exacerbation of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Mr Brown presents with a past medical history of an anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI), diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension. Mr Brown complains of fatigue and shortness of breath with minimal exertion. The nurse assesses Mr Brown to have a decreased activity tolerance. At which of the following New York Heart Association Functional Classification of heart failure stages should the nurse document Mr Brown?

The nurse caring for Mrs Doris Rorty is teaching her about the prevention of bacterial endocarditis after her mitral valve replacement surgery. What should be included in the teaching plan?

When assessing an older person diagnosed with heart failure, why is it important for the nurse to include questions about the person's diet?

The nurse caring for patients on the cardiothoracic step-down unit is aware that the following patient is most at risk of developing prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE)?

Mr Peter Sparks has been diagnosed with acute heart failure and is critically ill. An arterial line has been inserted. One function of an arterial line is to:

Ms Wilma Lee is admitted to the critical care unit post operatively, after mitral valve surgery. The nurse caring for Ms Lee recognises that the priority nursing action is:

Mrs Donna Lucas has been diagnosed with acute pericarditis. The nurse caring for Mrs Lucas identifies that the risk of decreased cardiac output is a priority nursing diagnosis. A suitable nursing action for this diagnosis is:

Mr Sean Stewart is admitted to the high dependency unit (HDU) with acute pulmonary oedema. The nurse caring for Mr Stewart recalls that this is a medical emergency and Mr Stewart will require:

Mrs Irene Brown, aged 59 years, is three days post coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and has gone into atrial fibrillation (AF). Mrs Brown is commenced on a loading dose of digoxin to treat the AF. Which of the following nursing assessments indicates a possible problem with the administration of the medication?

Mr William Green, a 79-year-old, is admitted with new onset Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Mr Green presents with symptoms of shortness of breath, decreased activity tolerance and a 7-kilogram weight gain. The medical intern is deciding upon which medications to order for Mr Green. If the client is started on an ACE inhibitor, which of the following teaching points should the nurse emphasise to Mr Green and his family?

When planning care for Mr Owen Blake, aged 56 years, recovering from a valve replacement, the nurse caring for Mr Blake should include which of the following interventions to support the nursing diagnosis Risk of infection?

Mrs Wendy Young returns to the intensive care unit post heart transplant surgery. The nurse caring for Mrs Young is aware that bleeding is a major concern in the early postoperative period and the chest tube drainage needs to be assessed:

Ms Sonya Grey, aged 21years, is admitted to the hospital four weeks post partum with complaints of her heart racing and shortness of breath. Ms Grey reports waking up at night feeling short of breath and needing three pillows at night to sleep. Upon assessment, the nurse finds Ms Grey to have an audible S3 and S4, ascites, oedema, and atrial fibrillation. Ms Grey is diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Which surgery may be needed to correct Ms Grey's condition?