heart healthy
SN provided teaching regarding hypokalemia. Low potassium (hypokalemia) refers to a lower than normal potassium level in your bloodstream. Potassium helps carry electrical signals to cells in your body. It is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells. S/s include weakness, muscle cramps, heart palpitations, and constipation. SN instructed that patient should report any of these to her nurse promptly. Verbal understanding noted.
SN instructed patient about stents help keep coronary arteries open and reduce the chance of a heart attack. Stents help keep coronary arteries open and reduce the chance of a heart attack. A stent is inserted into the clogged artery with a balloon catheter. The balloon is inflated and the stent expands and locks in place. Then the balloon is removed and stent stays in place. This holds the artery open and allows blood to flow more freely.
SN instructed patient about treatment of heart failure may include: controlling risk factors: quitting smoking losing weight and increasing moderate exercise restricting salt and fat from the diet avoiding alcohol proper rest controlling blood sugar if diabetic controlling blood pressure limiting fluids.
SN to educate patient on CPAP machine as follows: CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The machines help people with sleep apnea breathe more easily and regularly every night while they are sleeping. A CPAP machine increases the air pressure in your throat to prevent your airway from collapsing when you inhale. Patient admits that most nights he goes to bed with Cpap, but finds mask on floor after waking in AM. SN to advise patient of importance of wearing Cpap as follows: The CPAP breathing machine is used by people with chronic obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder which causes airways to close up during sleep. People with obstructive sleep apnea stop breathing while sleeping. When breathing stops the individual is suddenly jolted awake, gasping for air. Patient to deny any sleep issues lately. People with sleep apnea often do not remember these episodes, but instead experience chronic fatigue that they have no explanation for. Over time, sleep apnea can increase the risk of hypertension, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Patient verbalized understanding of teaching today. SN to continue to monitor.
SN instructed patient and caregiver on measures to relieve legs edema : elevate legs above the level of your heart several times a day. In some cases, elevating legs while you sleep may be helpful; reduce salt intake, salt can increase fluid retention and worsen edema; moving and using the legs muscles, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart.
SN educated patient and caregiver on medication Empagliflozin (jardiance). It is used along with diet and exercise, and sometimes with other medications, to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Empagliflozin is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death in people who have type 2 diabetes along with heart and blood vessel disease.Taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health.This medication may cause changes in your blood sugar. You should know the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms. Empagliflozin may cause side effects like urinating a lot, including at night, increased thirst. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Instructed in new medication Toprol and in S/E such as fatigue, dizziness, depression, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, AV block, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea and rash.
Instructed in new medication Bextra to manage osteoarthritis. In addition. warned of possible S/E such as dizziness, headache, cerebrovascular disorder, peripheral edema, hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, heart failure, aneurysm, sinusitis, abdominal fullness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, renal impairment, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia, hepatitis, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperkalemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, increased or decreased weight, back pain, myalgia, upper respiratory tract infection, bronchospasm, rash, flu-like syndrome, accidental injury.
Instructed in complication of angina pectoris such as dysrhythmias of the heart and myocardial infarction.
Instructed in new medication Prednisone and in S/E such as euphoria, insomnia, psychotic behavior, vertigo, headache, paresthesia, seizures, pseudotumor cerebri, heart failure, hypertension, edema, arrhythmias, thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism, cataracts, glaucoma, peptic ulceration, GI irritation, increased appetite, pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting, menstrual irregularities, increased urine calcium levels, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, carbohydrate intolerance, growth suppression in children, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, hirsutism, delayed wound healing, acne and various skin eruptions.