Instructed patient on signs and symptoms of CVA , sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes,sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.If you have any of these symptoms call 911, it is critical that a stroke victim receive evaluation and proper treatment quickly to minimize the injury to the brain tissue.
SN instructed patient about High blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120 / 80 mm / Hg most of the time. High blood pressure ( hypertension ) is when your blood pressure is 140 / 90 mm / Hg or above most of the time. SN explained that the "top number" systolic indicates the pressure in the vessels when the heart beats. The "bottom number" diastolic indicates the pressure in the vessels when the heart is at rest, to between beats. This number is the most concerning number because it tells your medical team the constant pressure on these vessels. Too high (over 80) can cause damage
SN explained that long standing hypertension leads to heart damage that is called heart failure. This means your heart "fails" to pump your blood to your body effectively. You may notice swelling in your extremities, that you are easily fatigued with normal activity, and weight gain. Any of these symptoms or worsening of them should be reported to SN or MD.
SN instructed patient to eat a balanced diet and drink fluids, eat protein like red and white meat, eggs, beans and take vitamins from vegetables/fruits , to promote wound healing.
Instructed patient that Hypertensive heart disease refers to heart conditions caused by high blood pressure. The heart working under increased pressure causes some different heart disorders. Hypertensive heart disease can lead to complications such as : thickening of the heart muscle, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease and other conditions such as heart failure if not controlled. Follow your MD's orders for Heart Healthy diet, exercise as tolerated and take medications as prescribed.
Instructed patient on treatment of COPD oral medications, nebulizer medications, inhalers, pursed lip breathing, percussion therapy, oxygen therapy, and avoiding respiratory irritants.
SN instructed patient on ways to conserve energy due to muscle weakness dx such as small frequent meals, avoiding large meals/overeating, take frequent rest periods to prevent from becoming tired, exercise as often as you can without tiring yourself out, stretching and range of motion is good to help build strength and controlling stress.
SN taught patient on sleeping with LVAD, and it was explained that many LVAD patients actually find that they’re able to sleep more comfortably with their LVAD than they did before because they’re feeling better and breathing more easily. There are, however, two major ways that having an LVAD affects your sleep routine: You may not be able to sleep on your stomach. Stomach sleeping can compress or pull on the driveline. Sleeping on your back is the best option, although some LVAD patients find it comfortable to sleep on their sides. You’ll also need to make sure that the driveline doesn’t get tangled in clothing or blankets. At first, sleeping with the LVAD may feel awkward, but most patients get used to it after a few days. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient that it is not uncommon to experience significant stress, anxiety or depression when receiving your LVAD or becoming a caregiver for an LVAD recipient. There have been a lot of changes in your body and your life recently. There are many different causes of mental health issues, many of which are not under your control. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is not a bad thing to ask for help. There are many new medications and treatments available to help you feel better. Sometimes mental health issues are not recognized by the person who is affected. We have provided this tool to help you or a loved one identify when you may need to ask for help. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed patient her LVAD team will give you detailed instructions on what you need to do on a daily basis for your specific device and medical condition. They will also most likely give you a chart (sometimes called a “flowsheet”) customized for your specific device, to fill out daily. Flowsheets make it easy to keep track of your weight, medications, device settings (such as pump speed, power, etc.) and other daily maintenance items. Sample flowsheets are included at the bottom of the page (they vary slightly based on manufacturer). It is a sample only; use the flowsheet provided by your LVAD team. Understanding was verbalized.
