Cardiovascular System, Congestive Heart Failure

 

Activity Learning Outcomes

 

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

 

1. 1. Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in
2.      the cardiovascular system. (CO 3, 1)
3. 2. Relate pathophysiological alterations in cardiovascular processes to the    
4.     development, diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. (CO 4, 2)
5. 3. Examine current evidence to support the management of patients who present
6.      with alterations in the cardiovascular system. (CO 5, 3)

 

Requirements:

 

A 64-year-old woman presents to the primary care office with shortness of breath, leg swelling, and fatigue. She has a history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She reports that recently she had been able to go for daily walks with her friends, but in the past month, the walks have become more difficult due to shortness of breath and fatigue. She also sometimes awakens in the middle of the night due to shortness of breath and has to prop herself up on three pillows. On physical examination, she is tachycartic (110 beats per minute) and has a blood pressure of 106/74 mm Hg. Fine crackles are noted on inspiration in bilateral bases. The cardiac exam reveals the presence of a third and fourth heart sound and jugular venous distention. 2+ pitting edema is noted in the knees bilaterally. An ECG shows sinus rhythm at 110 bpm with Q waves in the anterior leads. An echocardiogram shows decreased wall motion of the anterior wall of the heart and an estimated ejection fraction of 25%. She is diagnosed with systolic heart failure, secondary to a silent MI.

 

1. 1. Discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms that can lead to heart failure.
2.  
3. 2. Differentiate between systolic and diastolic heart dysfunction
4.  
5. 3. Discuss the causes of the patient’s shortness of breath, awakening in the  
6.     middle of the night and the need to prop herself up on three pillows. Include
7.     pathophysiological mechanisms that causes each of these signs and symptoms.
8.  
9. 4. Include two points of teaching for this patient
10.  
11. 5. Support your response with at least one current evidence based resource.

 

1. Discussion post is supported with appropriate, scholarly sources; AND
2. Sources are published within the last 5 years (unless it is the most current clinical practice guideline (CPG); AND
3. Reference list is provided and in-text citations match; AND
4. Provides relevant evidence of scholarly inquiry clearly stating how the evidence informed or changed professional or academic decisions 
5. APA 7th Edition must be used.