The Symptoms of Right-sided and Left-sided Heart Failure
Several symptoms may help the nurse distinguish between right-sided and left-sided heart failure. The patients with right-sided heart failure (HF) typically experience shortness of breath and feet (including ankles) swelling (Lilly, 2011). Research showed that patients suffering from the right-sided HF urinate more often throughout the night and their neck veins become quite noticeable. The patients also display the awareness of feeling the heartbeat (this also includes sporadic or rapid heartbeat). Several scarce symptoms comprise feeling tired, weak, or even falling unconscious (Lilly, 2011).
The patients with left-sided heart failure commonly suffer from a cough (which generates foamy saliva). This diagnosis is also frequently highlighted by reduced urine production (Lilly, 2011). Patients with left-sided heart failure struggle lying down and their head should be raised to circumvent shortness of breath. Other symptoms of left-sided HF are similar to the right-sided HF and include exhaustion, faintness, and sporadic pulse (Lilly, 2011). The patients suffering from the left-sided heart failure persistently wake up several times at night because of the shortness of breath and gain weight significantly.
Common Primary Care Diagnoses
There are several ways to prevent heart failure. An accurate primary care diagnosis and accurate assessment can help the nurse to prolong the lives of the patients suffering from heart failure and improve their life conditions (Deedwania, 2012). One of the most common primary care diagnoses connected to heart failure is dyspnea (also known as shortness of breath). The evidence suggests that training is one of the most profitable interventions. The analysis of the evidence also showed that morphine could be useful in mitigating the effects of shallow breathing in acute heart failure (Deedwania, 2012).
Acute Heart Failure
The damage done to the heart can end up in chronic heart failure. The nurse should be aware of external factors and take into consideration previous diseases. It is also important to assess the dietary patterns of the patients and their idleness (Doughty & White, 2011). One of the most prevalent outcomes of acute heart failure is a heart attack. Therefore, during auscultation, the nurse may identify chest pain in the patient. Separating the conditions is a complex task. The nurse should carefully examine the patient and pay close attention to detail (Doughty & White, 2011).
Cardiology and Treatment of Heart Failure
It would be reasonable to turn to cardiology when the images of the patient’s heart are necessary. One of the most prevalent tests is an electrocardiogram (ECG). This examination records the activity of the patient’s heart based on its electrical activity (Lilly, 2011). In numerous cases, this test helped me to identify critical heart problems. Other tests that can be performed are MRI and CT. In a cardiac computerized tomography, the machine collects the images of the patient’s heart and chest (Lilly, 2011). In cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetic field produces several different signals that are also used to create images of the patient’s heart. The diagnosis should be made after thoroughly analyzing the results of the physical assessment and any tests that have been performed. This is critical to the treatment process and should be done on time to mitigate the adverse impact of external issues on the heart.
References
Deedwania, P. C. (2012). Heart failure. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Doughty, R. N., & White, H. D. (2011). Epidemiology of heart failure. Management of Heart Failure, 1-11.
Lilly, L. S. (2011). Pathophysiology of heart disease: A collaborative project of medical students and faculty. Baltimore, MD: Wolters Kluwer.