What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure in the elderly?
The most common symptoms of HF include:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Chronic coughing and/or wheezing.
- Fatigue.
- Light-headedness.
- Swelling, especially of the feet, ankles and legs.
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Elevated heart rate.
Which assessment findings are consistent with heart failure?
Edema is the quintessential symptom and sign of heart failure. Swelling of the feet and ankles, abdominal fullness due to swelling and distention of the liver, abdominal distention from ascites, scrotal swelling, and anasarca are different manifestations of fluid retention.
What is the major physical finding for CHF?
The parts of the physical exam that are most helpful in diagnosing heart failure are: Measuring blood pressure and pulse rate. Checking the veins in the neck for swelling or evidence of high blood pressure in the veins that return blood to the heart.
What key assessments do you look for in a patient with CHF?
Assessment of CHF:
- Vital Signs. Baseline vital signs are important here as well as for our other assessments, including an apical pulse; history is also important.
- Cardiovascular. Assess heart rhythm, and strength of the heartbeat.
- Respiratory. Assess lung sounds for congestion, rales.
- General Medical.
What does a echocardiogram show?
An echocardiogram checks how your heart’s chambers and valves are pumping blood through your heart. An echocardiogram uses electrodes to check your heart rhythm and ultrasound technology to see how blood moves through your heart. An echocardiogram can help your doctor diagnose heart conditions.
What assessment data would indicate right sided heart failure?
Tests used to diagnose right-sided heart failure include: Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram studies, which can reveal elevated pulmonary artery pressure and may also reveal valvular heart disease or disease affecting the cardiac muscle2 Pulmonary function testing to confirm the presence and severity of COPD.
What assessment data would indicate left sided heart failure?
On physical exam, the most common signs encountered are: Rales on lung auscultation indicative of pulmonary edema. Decreased breath sounds on lung auscultation suggestive of pleural effusion. S3 gallop on heart auscultation indicative of elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.
What nursing interventions would you consider for a patient with CHF?
Nursing interventions for a patient with HF focuses on management of the patient’s activities and fluid intake.
- Promoting activity tolerance.
- Managing fluid volume.
- Controlling anxiety.
- Minimizing powerlessness.
What is included in a cardiac assessment?
A focused assessment of the cardiac system includes a review for common or concerning symptoms: Chest pain—assess location, when it occurs, intensity, type, duration, with or without exertion, radiation, associated symptoms (shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, palpitations, anxiety), and alleviating factors.
What should you monitor for congestive heart failure?
Your doctor can listen to your lungs for signs of fluid buildup (lung congestion) and your heart for whooshing sounds (murmurs) that may suggest heart failure. The doctor may examine the veins in your neck and check for fluid buildup in your abdomen and legs.
What is the diagnosis and evaluation of heart failure?
Diagnosis and Evaluation of Heart Failure. Heart failure is a common clinical syndrome characterized by dyspnea, fatigue, and signs of volume overload, which may include peripheral edema and pulmonary rales. Heart failure has high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in older persons. Many conditions, such as coronary artery disease,…
What is the Framingham diagnostic criteria for heart failure?
Framingham Diagnostic Criteria for Heart Failure*. If angina or chest pain is present with heart failure, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend that the patient undergo coronary angiography, unless there is a contraindication to potential revascularization.
What is the importance of geriatric assessment?
It usually yields a more complete and relevant list of medical problems, functional problems, and psychosocial issues. Well-validated tools and survey instruments for evaluating activities of daily living, hearing, fecal and urinary continence, balance, and cognition are an important part of the geriatric assessment.
What is functional status in a geriatric assessment?
Functional status refers to a person’s ability to perform tasks that are required for living. The geriatric assessment begins with a review of the two key divisions of functional ability: activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).