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Cardiac Case Study: Heart Failure

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Cardiac Case Study
Pharmacology 291

Larry Goldie, a 63-year-old Caucasian male, visits the healthcare clinic complaining of increasing fatigue and difficulty breathing. Physical assessment findings include a rapid, irregular heart rate of 138 beats per minute, BP of 140/86, and a respiratory rate of 28. His breath sounds are clear with fine crackles in the bases bilaterally. He has positive jugular vein distention (JDV) bilaterally and 1+ pitting edema of his ankles bilaterally. His initial medical diagnosis is heart failure (HF). His past medical history includes: CHD, MI, and HTN. Larry is admitted to the acute care facility.

1. The nurse considers Larry’s symptoms that differentiate right and left-sided failure. (10 points)

Left- …show more content…
The nurse implements care and teaching related to Larry’s prescriptions for captopril, carvedilol, nitroglycerin patch, and furosemide. Please discuss specific nursing considerations and patient teaching for each medication. (15 points)

Captopril-
Can cause a permanent nonproductive, dry cough.
May have first dose hypotensive effect
May cause angioedema, which can occur up to 1 year after taking drug.

Carvedilol-
Dizziness and fainting with increased activity
Decrease in tolerance for exercise
Teach patient to report weight gain >2lbs in 1 day or 5lbs in 1 week.
SOB
Edema of feet or ankles
Increased fatigue or weakness
Teach patient to not abruptly stop taking due to risk for angina, heart attacks, sudden death, or rebound hypertension.
May have adverse effects such as bradycardia, heart failure, wheezing, bronchospasm, or impotence.

Nitroglycerin-
Teach to apply to skin, upper arms, and upper …show more content…
The nurse recognizes atrial fibrillation on Larry’s ECG monitor. What are the major assessment findings with this dysrhythmia? (5 points)

Tachycardia, palpitations, syncope, dizziness, angina, loss of P wave.

6. What is the major complication associated with atrial fibrillation? (5 points)

Stroke due to increased risk for clots and heart failure.

7. Elective cardioversion is unsuccessful to convert his heart rhythm to normal sinus rhythm. Larry is placed on digoxin to control his ventricular rate associated with atrial fibrillation. What are the nursing considerations and patient teaching with this medication? (10 points)

Must take apical pulse before admin and hold if <60 BPM
Labs to ensure within therapeutic digoxin levels 0.5-2 ng/mL
Know the antidote, Digoxin immune fab (digibind)
S/S of toxicity- increased salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, fatigue, visual disturbances such as halos, and green, yellow or purple flickering lights.

8. After discharge, Larry returns to the hospital with signs of digitalis toxicity. The nurse recognizes early manifestations and implements priority care. What are the manifestations of toxicity for this medication? (10

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