Treatment Plan to Consider Based on The Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines
The patient in the scenario under test has enough symptoms of stage C heart failure to warrant that diagnosis. In combination with a 12-lead ECG, chest X-ray, and additional diagnostic procedures, the patient may also require blood testing. According to Abel-Ali and Athdi (2022), renal function, complete metabolic panel, full blood count, liver function, brain natriuretic peptide, troponin, and arterial blood gas testing are required. In addition, a fast chest X-ray can reveal if or not the patient has fluid in their lungs and the size of their heart. In some cases, a diagnosis of heart failure cannot be made unless the patient has already had echocardiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) may also be recommended, and a stress test could be necessary. Just one way to prevent the patient’s CHF from getting worse is to keep treating it. There is currently no cure or medical treatment for this condition. We must immediately start her on a diuretic as well as a vasodilator and monitor her progress. The amount of salt and water she takes in as a whole ought to be reduced, and she ought to be educated to constantly monitor her weight gain or loss. Her potassium levels may need to be closely watched while she is on the diuretic, and she may also benefit from consuming a potassium supplement. Her ailment calls for a special diet and some counseling, therefore she has to consult a dietician for help.
Most importantly, the doctor in the hypothetical situation may recommend a treatment strategy that entails reducing the patient’s intake of both water and salt. In the event that the patient in the case study lowered their salt intake, this could lead to involuntary fluid retention in their lungs, veins, and other organs. To be more specific, decreasing the amount of sodium consumed by the person through lowering the level of sodium that is contained in the meals they eat can assist to keep the likelihood of heart failure inside the individual under extreme control. Further, being at a healthy weight should be a top priority. It may become more difficult for the body to acquire enough blood and oxygen if the individual is overweight or carries on gaining weight (Boehmer, 2020). Keeping a healthy weight reduces the amount of stress the heart has to work under, improving the patient’s overall well-being. Losing too much weight too quickly might also cause catastrophic heart failure. That is why it is so crucial to keep the patient’s weight stable.