2

Running head: CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE PICOT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congestive Heart Failure PICOT

Rogert Castro Alfaro

South University, NSG6999

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congestive Heart Failure PICOT

Congestive heart failure (CHF) among various one of the health conditions that cause considerable deaths in the United States. The disease is costly and causes a substantial burden to the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals, such as registered nurses, are mandated to promote CHF patients’ welfare and contribute to the development of effective evidence-based approaches through research to reduce the condition’s prevalence. CHF has different adverse effects on the patients, including impaired quality of life besides death. Assessing the CHF epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and complications is vital in understanding the condition and developing and implementing appropriate evidence-based interventions.

Definition

Congestive heart failure is a progressive chronic health condition that affects heart muscles’ pumping power (Komanduri, Jadhao, Guduru, Cheriyath & Wert, 2017). The inefficient pumping is caused by building up of fluids around the heart. Additionally, the condition develops when heart ventricles are unable to pump the necessary volume of blood to the body (Macon, Cherney & Luo, 2018). Left-sided and right-sided are the most common types of CHF.

Epidemiology of Congestive Heart Failure

The condition affects about 6.5 million individuals aging more than 20 years in the US (Jackson et al., 2018). Additionally, the lifetime risk of CHF at the age of 40 years is approximately one in five individuals. Notably, congestive heart failure incidences increase with age, and the prevalence of the condition among the aging population is estimated to have increased by 46 % by 2030 (Jackson et al., 2018). The mortality rate of elderly individuals diagnosed with CHF is almost 50 % in the United States. The mortality rate is higher in men than in women.

Clinical Presentation

Clinical presentation of CHF depends on whether the condition is mild, worsened, or severe. Common symptoms for CHF at initial stages include weight gain, fatigue, swollen legs, especially ankles, and frequent urination at night (Macon, Cherney & Luo, 2018). Worsening of the condition leads to irregular heartbeat, wheezing, cough due to congested lungs, and shortness of breath. On the other hand, clinical presentations of severe CHF include rapid breathing, chest pain, and blueish coloration of the skin because of a lack of oxygen (Macon, Cherney & Luo, 2018). The symptoms in infants are excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, and poor feeding.

Complications

CHF leads to various complications that may include heart valve problems, damaged kidneys, heart rhythm problems, and damaged liver (Mayo Clinic, 2017). CHF causes increased pressure and possible enlargement of the heart. Consequently, the valves that control the flow of in and out of the heart may fail to function properly (Mayo Clinic, 2017). CHF reduces blood flow to the kidneys, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. Equally, CHF causes the build-up of fluids that exert increased pressure on the liver. The pressure can damage the liver.

Diagnosis

After symptoms that lead to a suspected CHF, patients are referred to a cardiologist for physical exams that facilitate the diagnosis of the condition. The physical exam may involve using a stethoscope to detect abnormal heart rhythms. Other diagnostic tests include the use of an electrocardiogram, MRI, echocardiogram, and blood test (Macon, Cherney & Luo, 2018). Electrocardiogram facilitates the detection of irregular and rapid heartbeats (Jarvis & Saman, 2017). Echocardiogram determines whether a patient has damaged heart muscles or poor blood flow. MRI allows a cardiologist to see whether a heart has any damage or not. On the other hand, blood tests check for infections, a rise of hormones due to CHF, and abnormal blood cells.

Conclusion with PICOT Question

CHF is a health condition that causes a significant burden on the health care system, and that warrants the adoption of evidence-based approaches to reduce its prevalence and rates of rehospitalization. The PICOT question that will guide the study on CHF is: What is the effect of multidisciplinary educational approach (I) on CHF patients (P) admitted to heart failure clinic compared to traditional education (C) on rates of rehospitalization and damaging of other organs (O) within six months (T)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Jackson, S., Tong, X., King, R., Loustalot, F., Hong, Y., & Ritchey, M. (2018). National Burden of Heart Failure Events in the United States, 2006 to 2014.

Circulation: Heart Failure, 11(12). Jarvis, S., & Saman, S. (2017). Heart failure 1: pathogenesis, presentation, and diagnosis. Nursing Times, 113(9), 49-53.

Komanduri, S., Jadhao, Y., Guduru, S., Cheriyath, P., & Wert, Y. (2017). Prevalence and risk factors of heart failure in the USA: NHANES 2013 – 2014 epidemiological follow-up study. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, 7(1), 15-20.

Macon, B., Cherney, K., & Luo, E. (2018). Congestive Heart Failure: Types, Causes, Stages, and Treatment. Healthline. Retrieved 5 March 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/congestive-heart-failure.

Mayo Clinic. (2017). Heart failure – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic.

Retrieved 5 March 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes

"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"