Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Case Study

Case Study Mrs. J

Acute decompensated heart failure is the sudden deterioration of heart failure symptoms, which include dyspnea, fatigue, and swelling of the feet (Rocha & Falcao, 2016). The condition is common among the elderly and is a severe cause of acute respiratory distress. Its primary cause is cardiogenic pulmonary edema with the rapid accumulation of fluids in the lungs. If untreated promptly, the condition is fatal. In this essay, the author examines the case of Mrs. J, a 63-year-old admitted to the ICU with acute decompensated heart failure and acute exacerbation of COPD. Specifically, the essay discusses clinical manifestations present in the patient, whether the nursing interventions made at the time for her admission were suitable, the rationale for the medications listed, and four cardiovascular conditions contributing to heart failure. Further, the author proposes four interventions to prevent problems resulting from multiple drug interactions in older adults and health promotion and restoration plan for Mrs. J. Lastly, the author describes a method of providing education to the client and outlines COPD triggers.Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Case Study

Clinical Manifestations Present in Mrs. J

From the information provided in the case study, Mrs. J is suffering from hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her body temperature has been increasing significantly, resulting in a fever. Additionally, the patient has complained of a productive cough, malaise, and nausea. In the past few days, Mrs. J has been unable to perform daily living activities and has required assistance walking in short distances. While the patient denies any pain, she reports feeling like she cannot get enough air and feels like her heart is ‘running away.’ Mrs. J is experiencing extreme fatigue to the extent she cannot eat or drink by herself.

Appropriateness of Nursing Interventions at the Time of Her Admission

At the time of Mrs. J’s admission, drug therapy was recommended. While this intervention was appropriate, there was a need for additional guidelines to ensure the patient’s safety. For instance, a comprehensive nursing assessment to determine the root cause of her problem is warranted. Research suggests that accurate and timely diagnosis is a crucial determinant of the treatment outcome (Wurcel et al., 2019). Health professionals should have weighed the patient daily, specifically in the morning hours to monitor her fluid overload. Monitoring Mrs J‘s input and output would also have been essential to evaluate the negative balance. Additionally, monitoring the patient’s vital signs such as pulse, temperature, and respiration were necessary. Supplementing oxygen using a non-breather mask could have been ideal for increasing Mrs. J SP02 levels.Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Case Study