This case describes an anamnesis of a patient with congestive heart failure (CHF). A 76-year-old male cannot properly follow a prescription and fails to go on a diet. He suffers 4+ pitting edema, moist crackles throughout lung fields, and labored respiration. His wife cannot handle all responsibilities associated with medical care. They both are depressed and morally exhausted. The main goal of this paper is to suggest a medical approach, including a treatment plan that takes into account all factors mentioned in the anamnesis.
A Medical Approach
Due to the complexity of this case, it is necessary to apply a comprehensive approach. Taking into consideration the serious condition of the patient and the great amount of work his wife has to do, the care approach should be aimed to relieve the symptoms and take the load off the patient’s wife (“Because experience does matter,” n.d.). Therefore, services have to include several activities. Daily life activities like washing up and dressing, caring for the home, and transportation will help to free up some time for the patient’s wife and create a comfortable environment for further treatment. Physical support involving different exercises is necessary to improve general health. Finally, the control of the medication schedule is a crucial factor in addressing the underlying disease.
A Treatment Plan
The next step is a treatment plan. Such a disease requires an elaborate treatment system. First, it is necessary to follow the prescription. The patient has to always take medicine and the list of prescription drugs with him. Second, it is important to control weight every day. Third, a low-sodium diet prevents and minimizes the amount of fluid around a heart (“Diet and congestive heart failure,” n.d.). Fourth, symptoms should be monitored every day as well. Fifth, immunization decreases the risk of infection that can lead to complications (John Muir Health, n.d.). Sixth, the use of tobacco products might cause severe complications as well. Hence, it is necessary to give up cigarettes. Seventh, rest restores the energy and improves the general condition.
An Educational Method
Education is an integral part of the prescribed treatment. It is important to teach all family members. An educational method that increases the knowledge about the disease and medical approaches to control it should be highly effective. In order to implement it, the method has to be based on the people’s learning abilities (“Five tips,” n.d.). The same information might be presented differently. Some individuals tend to learn better by reading. On the other hand, some people prefer video materials. Disregarding the type of demonstration, a studying process has to be constantly guided. However, the most effective methods involve technologies as they make an educational process much faster and easier. All necessary materials are available on the internet. They might be selected by categories, addressing the patient’s needs. It is important to review such materials with the patient and his family to ensure the understanding of the main concepts.
A Teaching Plan
A teaching plan should emphasize basic facts. First, CHF is a chronic and progressive syndrome that requires serious lifestyle changes (Mangini, Pires, Braga & Bacal, 2013). Many patients neglect first symptoms. That leads to deterioration and subsequent acute decompensated heart failure. Second, it is necessary to convince the patient to control weight every day. The weight should be checked in the morning after urinating and before breakfast. A change in weight might indicate fluid retention (“New insight,” 2014). Third, sometimes patients tolerate heart failure symptoms and avoid medical care. Therefore, these symptoms must be thoroughly studied. The most typical ones are shortness of breath, swelling of ankles, or heart palpitation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this case is quite usual. Therefore, there is a set of standard methods addressing described above issues. The patient with his wife should be fully informed of possible outcomes and offered professional medical help. However, creating an inspiring environment has to be emphasized as this factor has a crucial impact on the recovery of this severely ill patient.
References
Because experience does matter. (n.d.). Web.
Diet and congestive heart failure. (n.d.) Web.
Five tips for providing effective patient education. (n.d.) Web.
John Muir Health (n.d.). Heart failure and your treatment plan. Web.
Mangini, S., Pires, P. V., Braga, F. G. M., & Bacal, F. (2013). Decompensated heart failure. Einstein (SĂŁo Paulo), 11(3), 383-391.
New insight into weight loss in heart failure patients. (2014). Web.