❤️ HEART FAILURE (HF)

what is Pathophysiology for heart failure?

The heart cannot pump blood effectively → blood/fluid backs up.

Easy memory:
Left = Lungs 🫁
Right = Rest of body 🦵

What is the risk factor for heart failure?

• Hypertension ⭐

• Previous MI/CAD

• Diabetes

• Heart valve disease

• Smoking

What are the signs and symptoms for heart failure?

Left-sided HF 🫁

• Shortness of breath ⭐

• Crackles ⭐

• Orthopnea

• Low O₂

• Cough

• Pink frothy sputum = pulmonary edema 🚨

Right-sided HF 🦵

• Peripheral/pitting edema ⭐

• JVD ⭐

• Weight gain ⭐

• Ascites

What is the nursing diagnosis for heart failure

• Decreased Cardiac Output

• Excess Fluid Volume

• Impaired Gas Exchange

• Activity Intolerance

What is the Nursing Interventions for heart failure?

• High-Fowler's for breathing difficulty ⭐

• Oxygen as needed

• Assess lung sounds

• Monitor O₂ saturation

• Daily weights ⭐

• Strict I&O

• Monitor edema

• Limit sodium/fluids if ordered

• Give medications as prescribed

What are the treatments for heart failure?

• Diuretics: furosemide → removes fluid

• ACE inhibitors/ARBs → decrease heart workload

• Beta blockers → decrease heart rate/workload

• Spironolactone → removes fluid but holds potassium

HESI/NCLEX Diagnostic Clues:

• BNP ↑ = Heart failure

• Echocardiogram → checks ejection fraction

• Chest X-ray → may show pulmonary congestion

What are the complications for heart failure

• Pulmonary edema 🚨

• Dysrhythmias

• Cardiogenic shock

⭐ MUST KNOW

HF + sudden SOB + crackles + pink frothy sputum = PULMONARY EDEMA → sit upright/high-Fowler's and support oxygenation.