Pathology Process of Heart Failure in an 82-Year-Old African American Female

Scenario Overview

This scenario presents an 82-year-old African American female with heart failure who was admitted to the hospital with weakness, dizziness, and nausea. The patient has been admitted to the cardiology unit from the emergency department, where she arrived 1 hour ago.

An 82-year-old African American female who was brought to the emergency department by her son this morning when he found her confused and complaining of trouble with her vision. She has been ill for several days with complaints of nausea, dizziness, and weakness.

Background she has a history of hypertension, diagnosed 35 years ago, a previous myocardial infarction (MI), 10 years ago and subsequent heart failure, 10 years ago, following the MI.

Her current medications include furosemide, amlodipine, aspirin and digoxin.

She is complaining of slight abdominal pain and nausea. She has not vomited. Her last set of vitals are recorded in her chart. She has an IV of Lactated Ringers in 5% Dextrose infusing at 100mL/hr through a 20-gauge IV catheter in her right arm. A blood sample has been drawn for evaluation of her digoxin level.

She is being admitted for observation and her latest vital signs were just recorded. Lab results just came back and should be reviewed. Please notify the provider about the results.

It is important for the nurse to understand the pathology process occurring in the patient to provide proper assessments and treatment during care. Describe in your own words, the step-by-step pathology process of Heart Failure, which has predisposed the patient to her current illness. Include in-text citations in your writing. Include a reference list at the end of your writing. Utilize resources such as your course textbooks and/or credible organization websites. Please be thorough in your response, but stay focused and on topic.

Limit your response to 10 sentences or less.

Your writing should include all of the important steps that occur in the physical changes associated with the disease process, Heart Failure. Your response should read in a similar manner to the example below. The example describes the beginning steps of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This example is provided to demonstrate the level of detail needed to fully discuss the pathology process.

In the coronary vessels, increased blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) irritate or damage the inner layer of the vessel. LDL then enters the vessel after damaging the protective barrier, accumulates in the vessel lining, and forms a fatty streak. Smooth muscle cells move to the inner layer of the vessel to engulf the fatty substance, producing fibrous tissue in the affected vessel.