CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING CARE Essay Example

Cardiovascular Nursing Care

Question 1: Nursing management of post defibrillation and ventricular fibrillation
revival of patient

Defibrillation is an operative practice that attempts to restore cardiac output by terminating the pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. It is an emergent exercise involving the correction of chaotic dysrhythmias and uncoordinated ventricular responses. In post-defibrillation care, evaluation is performed to determine the care needed for the patient (Schmitt & König, 2010). After evaluating the respiratory and neurologic status of the patient, an IV anti-dysrhythmic therapy is initiated as documentation of the findings occurs.

Patient is supported as the defibrillator is voided of electrical currents. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the most appropriate way of supporting the patient. To prevent recurrence, the underlying conditions are to be assessed. Assessment for differences for internal defibrillation and changes for pacemaker defibrillation should be done to prevent complications.

To revive patients from ventricular fibrillation, procaine amide is often used, especially in established auriculo-ventricular dissociation (Thomas, 1991). Apart from CPR, cardio-cerebral resuscitation can also be performed.

Question 2: What are the causes of cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest is a condition whereby the heart stops pumping and blood supply to various organs stop. Breathing also stops in a few seconds. There are a number of conditions that can trigger cardiac arrest. The common causes include cardiac artery disease, cardiomyopathy, Brugada Syndrome (characterized by long QT complex), Marfan syndrome and congenital heart defects (Vincent, 2016). The coronary artery disease is the most common cause and presents majorly among the elderly – from an age of 40 years. The risk factors are old age, previous episode of heart attack and a positive family history. In cases of cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be initiated as soon as possible to save the patient’s life.

References

Schmitt, L., & König, T. (2010). Advances in cardiovascular research: Volume 1. New York, NY: Nova Biomedcial Books.

Thomas, S. (1991). Defibrillation. Nursing Standard, 5(32), 52-53. doi:10.7748/ns.5.32.52.s61

Vincent, J. (2016). Ethical issues in cardiac arrest and acute cardiac care: a European perspective. Oxford Medicine Online. doi:10.1093/med/9780199687039.003.0013_update_001