Nursing Interventions for Aortic Stenosis
September 6, 2010 | In: Nursing Interventions
Take advantage of having nursing CE credits. Get our 2 free nursing CE courses (Basic Blood Gas Interpretation and Leadership Styles) @ coursepark!
Nursing Interventions: Aortic Stenosis
- Assist the patient in bathing, if necessary.
- Provide a bedside commode because using a commode puts less stress on the heart than using a bedpan.
- Offer diversional activities that are physically undemanding.
- Alternate periods of rest to prevent extreme fatigue and dyspnea.
- To reduce anxiety, allow the patient to express his concerns about the effects of activity restrictions on his resposibilities and routine.
- Keep the patient’s legs elevated while he sits in a chair to improve venous return in the heart.
- Place the patient in an upright position to relieve dyspnea.
- Administer oxygen as needed to prevent tissue hypoxia.
- Keep the patient in a low sodium diet. Consult with a dietitian to ensure that the patient receives foods that he likes while adhering to the diet restrictions.
- Allow the patient to express his fears and concerns about the disorder, it’s impact on his life, and any impending surgery.
- Monitor the patient’s vital signs, weight, and intake and output for signs of fluid overload.
- Evaluate patient’s activity tolerance and degree of fatigue.
- Monitor the patient for chest pain that may indicate cardiac ischemia.
- Regularly assess the patient’s cardiopulmonary function.
- Observe the patient for complications and adverse reactions to drug therapy.