What is the rationale for the administration of each of the following medications?
What is the rationale for the administration of each of the following medications?
IV furosemide (Lasix)- This is a loop diuretic used to prevent or treat fluid retension in patients with heart failure, liver disease, and renal failure. In this case, the patient has crackles in the lungs, is complaining of shortness of breath, has edema and distended jugular veins, low blood pressure, and coughing, all signs of heart failure and pulmonary congestion secondary to left sided heart failure.
Enalapril (Vasotec)-This is a ACE inhibitor (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) which is used to treat hypertension and heart failure. It allows the ventricles to pump blood out of the heart.
Metoprolol (Lopressor)-This is a beta blocker used for hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias. IN this case, the Metoprolol can help with the patient’s heart failure by allowing the heart to relax and lower the heart rate. Metoprolol is a vasodilator, it relaxes the blood vessels of the heart. Since the patient is in heart failure and afib, his heart is working harder to pump blood and its overworking the heart and weakening it, therefore Metoprolol is used to treat this.
IV morphine sulphate (Morphine)-This is an opiate given to patients with angina and heart failure due to its effects on the sympathetic nervous system. The reduction of the sympathetic stimulation reduces heart rate, cardiac work, and myocardial oxygen consumption. In this scenario, the Morphine will be helpful in reducing the pateint’s anxiety, pain, heart rate, and will allow the heart to relax.
Describe four cardiovascular conditions that may lead to heart failure and what can be done in the form of medical/nursing interventions to prevent the development of heart failure in each condition.
