Based on the patients condition what is your next action

Chapter 9 Cardiovascular Assessment

9.3. CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT

A thorough assessment of the heart provides valuable information about the function of a patient’s cardiovascular system. Understanding how to properly assess the cardiovascular system and identifying both normal and abnormal assessment findings will allow the nurse to provide quality, safe care to the patient.

Before assessing a patient’s cardiovascular system, it is important to understand the various functions of the cardiovascular system. In addition to the information provided in the “Review of Cardiac Basics” section, the following images provide an overview of the cardiovascular system. Figure 9.1^[¹^] provides an overview of the structure of the heart. Note the main cardiac structures are the atria, ventricles, and heart valves. Figure 9.2^[²^] demonstrates blood flow through the heart. Notice the flow of deoxygenated blood from the posterior and superior vena cava into the right atria and ventricle during diastole (indicated by blue coloring of these structures). The right ventricle then pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary a

Answers by Heart Fact Sheets

Understanding your condition and how to manage it can increase your confidence in making changes to improve and maintain your health.

Answers by Heart is a series of printable patient information sheets presented in a question-and-answer format that's brief, easy to follow and easy to read. They also provide room for you to write down questions to ask your doctor. This can help you prepare to get the most out of your next visit with your healthcare professional. Some of the sheets also allow you to log and track personal data such as blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and exercise.

Whether you or a loved one just had an acute event or procedure, have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or have had an event before or are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, these sheets will help you start taking action to reduce your risk.

Topics address:

Some topics are available to view in Español.

For additional information: The American Stroke Association has created Let’s Talk About Stroke, a line of patient information sheets that relate to stroke prevention and life after stroke. Some topics are also availa

Chapter 2 Health History

2.8. FUNCTIONAL HEALTH AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

Functional health assessment collects data related to the patient’s functioning and their physical and mental capacity to participate in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are daily basic tasks that are fundamental to everyday functioning (e.g., hygiene, elimination, dressing, eating, ambulating/moving). See Figure 2.2^[¹^] for an illustration of ADLs.

Figure 2.2

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) are more complex daily tasks that allow patients to function independently such as managing finances, paying bills, purchasing and preparing meals, managing one’s household, taking medications, and facilitating transportation. Notice Figure 2.3^[²^] for an illustration of IADLs. Assessment of IADLs is particularly important to inquire about with young adults who hold just moved into their first place, as well as with older patients with multiple medical conditions and/or disabilities.

SBAR Tool: Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation

The SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) technique provides a framework for communication between members of the health care team about a patient's condition.

S = Situation (a concise statement of the problem)
B = Background (pertinent and brief information related to the situation)
A = Assessment (analysis and considerations of options — what you found/think)
R = Recommendation (action requested/recommended — what you want)

SBAR is an easy-to-remember, concrete mechanism useful for framing any conversation, especially critical ones, requiring a clinician’s immediate attention and action. It allows for an easy and focused way to set expectations for what will be communicated and how between members of the team, which is essential for developing teamwork and fostering a culture of patient safety.

Directions

This tool has two components:

SBAR Guidelines (“Guidelines for Communicating with Physicians Using the SBAR Process”): Explains in detail how to implement the SBAR technique
SBAR Worksheet (“SBAR report to physician about a critical situation”): A worksheet/script that a pr
Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It's a treatment that can be given when you stop breathing (respiratory arrest) or your heart stops beating (cardiac arrest).
CPR tries to get your breathing and heart going again.
It can involve:
- pressing down hard on your chest repeatedly (chest compressions)
- a machine to stimulate your heart using electrical shocks (sometimes more than once)
- equipment that helps move oxygen around your body (artificial ventilation)
- giving medicine by injection
How successful is CPR?
CPR can sometimes get the heart and breathing going again. The actions used in CPR, such as chest compressions, can cause bruising, break ribs and puncture lungs.
Overall, CPR restarts the heart and/or breathing for between 1 and 2 in 10 people whose heart or breathing have stopped.
You have the best chance of CPR restarting your heart or breathing if:
- your lungs, heart or other organs are healthy and working well before your heart or breathing stops
- you are near a person trained in CPR
- any equipment that is needed, such as a defibrillator, is nearby
The chances of CPR starting your hear