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Cardiac disease is so prevalent in our times that a nurse, in almost every care setting, will encounter patients with some degree of its manifestation. Coexistent types of cardiac pathophysiology and varied severity in symptomatology can make assessment difficult for the nurse. However, the ability to recognize symptoms, assess their severity, and determine when the patient status is changing is essential to prevent poor outcomes and frequent hospital readmissions. They are also instrumental in promoting and maintaining quality of life. These actions are the responsibility of the nurse and expected within the scope of practice.
Honing assessment skills aids in recognition of both subtle and overt symptoms and behaviors which may indicate patient compromise.
Although this is primarily a continuing education course for nurses caring for patients with cardiac disease in the non-acute setting, it will also be beneficial to any nurse needing to strengthen skills and knowledge in this area of practice. The course begins with a review of cardiac anatomy, assessments, disorders, and chronic symptomatology which are then linked with assessments focused on changes in status requiring intervention. Many tools will be utilized to maximize the learning and comprehension of cardiac assessment for nurses.

A LinkIt© course
A Linkit© Course
A LinkIt© course uses reviews that aid in making associations between nursing knowledge and actions. When you see this symbol, associate the content with either prior learning or something new you learned in the course so that you are able to comprehend and begin to apply what has been learned. This is critical thinking and will allow for more meaningful learning.
©PatSchmehl 2013