PATIENT NAME ________________________________SOC___________________
INITIAL
Define congestive heart failure.
______ ______ A. It is a chronic, progressive syndrome characterized by the inability of the heart to act as a pump.
______ ______ B. The heart is unable to pump an adequate supply of blood to meet the oxygen and nutritional needs of the body.
Anatomy and physiology of the heart.
______ ______ A. The heart consists of four chambers —the right and left ventricles and right and left atria.
______ ______ B. The upper chambers, the atria, receive the blood from various parts of the body and pump it into the ventricles.
______ ______ C. The right ventricle pumps blood into the lungs, and the left ventricle pumps blood into all parts of the body.
Factors that may increase risk.
______ ______ A. Myocardial infarction.
______ ______ B. Coronary artery disease.
______ ______ C. Hypertension.
______ ______ D. Congenital heart defects.
______ ______ E. Anemia.
______ ______ F. Obesity.
Signs and symptoms.
______ ______ A. Left-sided failure:
______ ______ 1. Fatigue.
______ ______ 2. Shortness of breath.
______ ______ 3. Restlessness.
______ ______ 4. Excessive urination at night.
______ ______ 5. Wheezing.
______ ______ 6. Elevated blood pressure.
______ ______ B. Right-sided failure:
______ ______ 1. Dry cough.
______ ______ 2. Swelling in feet and ankles.
______ ______ 3. Abdominal swelling.
______ ______ 4. Abdominal pain.
______ ______ 5. Loss of appetite.
______ ______ 6. Unexplained, rapid weight gain.
______ ______ 7. Nausea and vomiting.
Measures to prevent congestive heart failure.
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PATIENT NAME ________________________________SOC___________________
______ ______ A. Avoid stress. (Give “Stress Management” and “Relaxation Techniques” teaching guides.)
______ ______ B. Avoid fatigue. (Give “Energy Conservation” teaching guide .)
______ ______ C. Eat a low sodium diet. (Give “Low Sodium Diet” teaching guide .)
______ ______ D. Restrict fluids if ordered by physician.
______ ______ E. Take medication exactly as prescribed.
______ ______ F. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
______ ______ G. Weigh daily to detect fluid retention.
______ ______ H. Take pulse rate daily.
______ ______ I. Elevate legs to decrease swelling.
______ ______ J. Dress warmly in cold weather.
______ ______ K. Report the following symptoms immediately:
______ ______ 1. Weight gain of two to three pounds in a day or five pounds in a week.
______ ______ 2. Loss of appetite.
______ ______ 3. Increased shortness of breath.
______ ______ 4. Swelling in feet and ankles.
______ ______ 5. Persistent cough.
______ ______ 6. Frequent urination at night.
______ ______ 7. Pulse rate greater than 100 or less than 60.
______ ______ L. Keep follow-up appointments with physician.
Possible complications.
______ ______ A. Acute pulmonary edema.
______ ______ B. Damage to organs, such as liver, kidney, or brain.
______ ______ C. Pneumonia.
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