Question

Choose three topics from the cardio lecture and explain why their pathophysiology is important for a nurse to understand

Answer 1

Coronary Artery Disease

This disease occurs when the vascular supply of the heart is affected due to blockage, which is caused by the deposition of cholesterol plaques. CAD can lead to permanent cardiac muscle damage or sometimes if not caught early, even death.

It is important for a Nurse to understand this so as to prevent further progression of the disease and control the damage and if possible, reverse it with proper medication. The nurse should tell the patient what is CAD and the complications it can cause and it's overall affect to one's body. The patient should be advised well, and kept under proper supervision.

Cardiomyopathy

This is a disease of the musculature of the heart which makes it difficult for the muscle to contract and hence, hampers the pumping of the hear; which will directly affect the blood supply to the body.

The nurse should take a proper history of the patient, check for history of narcotic intake also. All these are necessary for the physician to pin point the disease and to go forward with the proper diagnosing tool.

Arrhythmias

This is a group of conditions which causes the heartbeat to change, either making to faster or slower. The conditions may include atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, conduction disorders, ventricular fibrillation and more.

The nurse has an important role in the detection of arrhythmias, most of the time Atrial Fibrillation. There is a need to provide individual care, supervision and monitoring of the patient. The detection of arrhythmias can prove vital so as to reduce the risk of a stroke.