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.Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Chapter 1: Basic Review of Cardiac Anatomy
Pat originally graduated from a diploma program and later went on to earn her BSN and MSN and now her DNP while continuing to practice critical care nursing. Currently she is a faculty member in the ADN program at Reading Area Community College in reading Pennsylvania. She is the author of a newly published book (Jones and Bartlett): Introduction to Concept Mapping: Critical Thinking in Action.
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