Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle weakens from damage or overwork. The heart cannot supply the blood necessary to meet the body’s needs.
Signs and Symptoms of CHF
- Weight gain, ( 3-5 pounds in a week)
- Swelling of legs or ankles
- Shortness of Breathe
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Excessive Urination at night
- Elevated blood pressure
- Dry cough or wheezing
- Unable to lie flat at night
Prevention Goals
- Weigh daily to detect fluid gain
- Take medication as prescribed
- Eat a low salt low fat diet
- Monitor blood pressure daily
- Avoid stress and fatigue
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
- Take pulse rate daily
- Dress warmly in cold weather
- Elevate legs often
- Restrict fluids per Doctor order
Report!
- Abnormal blood pressure
- Pulse greater than 100 or less than 60
- Shortness of breathe
- Swelling of legs or ankles
- Persistent cough
- Weight gain of 3-5 pounds in a week
Home care is appropriate for:
- Recent hospitalization
- Diagnosis or recent onset of disease
- Fluctuating or unstable vital signs
- Orthopnea
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
- Increased Fatigue
- Initiation of new medication regimen
- Peripheral edema
- Decreased endurance
- Activity intolerance
- Patient requiring dietary/fluid modifications
- Patient requiring oxygen therapy
Frequent trips to the Emergency Room (three or more per six months) indicate a need for SN to educate the patient about disease process and management
What can home health care do to assist patients with chronic Congestive Heart Failure?
| • Observation and assessment
• Management and evaluation • Energy conservation • Compensatory techniques • Medication Education • Fluid intake • Diuretic therapy • Disease process education |
• Electrolyte replacement
• Safety education • Ambulation techniques • Transfer techniques • Weight monitoring • Cardiac Assessment • Assistance with ADL’s |