Lesson 1Clinical signs like neck vein swelling, lung crackles, sitting-up breathing trouble, leg swelling — body explanationsConnects typical heart failure signs to body processes, aiding nurses to read neck vein swelling, lung crackles, sitting-up breathlessness, and leg swelling, and tell right from left heart issues.
Jugular venous distention and right-sided loadPulmonary crackles and alveolar fluidOrthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspneaPeripheral edema and venous hydrostatic pressureRight versus left heart failure manifestationsLesson 2Lab and scan markers: BNP/NT-proBNP, salts, chest X-ray, heart scan results and reading themCovers main lab and scan tests for heart failure, like heart stress hormones, salts, chest films, and heart scans. Stresses reading them, changes over time, and nursing tips for care plans.
BNP and NT-proBNP: interpretation and limitsElectrolyte disturbances and diuretic therapyChest X-ray signs of pulmonary congestionEchocardiographic assessment of ejection fractionValvular and structural findings on echoLesson 3Non-drug and machine treatments: oxygen, fluid-salt limits, CPAP/BiPAP, water removal, implant devices' body effectsLooks at non-drug and device treatments like oxygen, fluid and salt cuts, CPAP/BiPAP, water filtering, and heart devices, focusing on body effects and nurse duties.
Oxygen therapy goals and titrationFluid and sodium restriction strategiesCPAP and BiPAP in pulmonary congestionUltrafiltration for refractory volume overloadICDs and CRT devices in heart failure careLesson 4Sudden worsening heart failure causes: pump vs filling issues, lung water build-up, shock developmentLooks at sudden heart failure worsening, comparing pump weakness and filling problems, lung fluid, and shock steps. Notes early signs and quick nurse steps.
Systolic dysfunction and reduced ejection fractionDiastolic dysfunction and impaired relaxationPathophysiology of acute pulmonary edemaCardiogenic shock: stages and hemodynamicsInitial stabilization and escalation criteriaLesson 5Blood flow and vital changes in heart failure: reading blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, neck vein pressureShows how heart failure changes blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, and neck vein pressure. Helps nurses track patterns, spot early worsening, and match vitals to patient state.
Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressureHeart rate patterns and compensatory tachycardiaSpO2 trends and implications for oxygen deliveryCentral venous pressure and volume statusIntegrating vital signs with clinical assessmentLesson 6Problems and triggers: blood flow block, irregular beats, infection, high blood pressure, missing meds and body impactsLists common worsening triggers like blood flow lack, beat issues, germs, high pressure, skipped meds, and explains body effects and stop strategies.
Myocardial ischemia and infarction effectsArrhythmias and loss of atrial kickInfection, sepsis, and fluid shiftsHypertensive crisis and afterload surgeMedication nonadherence and patient educationLesson 7Heart pump factors: filling load, resistance, squeeze strength, pulse rate, and stretch-pump lawReviews heart pump factors and how filling, resistance, squeeze, and rate work in failure. Explains stretch-pump law and nurse ways to improve them.
Defining cardiac output and cardiac indexPreload: venous return and ventricular fillingAfterload: systemic vascular resistance effectsMyocardial contractility and inotropic stateFrank-Starling curve and clinical implicationsLesson 8Drug treatment reasons: water pills, blood vessel relaxers/blocks, rate slowers, openers, strength boosters — actions and resultsExplains why drug types fit heart failure, on actions, flow effects, symptom ease, life gains. Stresses nurse watch, no-gos, patient tips for safety.
Loop diuretics: action, dosing, and monitoringACE inhibitors and ARBs: benefits and risksEvidence-based beta-blockers in heart failureVasodilators and afterload reduction strategiesInotropes: indications, titration, and safetyLesson 9Heart parts and wiring: rooms, doors, blood supply, electric paths basicsCovers heart rooms, doors, blood pipes, wiring system, linking build to work. Shows how faults lead to failure and shape nurse checks.
Anatomy of atria and ventricles in circulationValve structure, function, and common lesionsCoronary artery supply and myocardial perfusionSA node, AV node, and His-Purkinje systemConduction abnormalities relevant to heart failureLesson 10Body alarm systems in heart failure: pressure-salt system, stress nerves, water hormones, swelling signalsExplains body alarms in failure, like pressure-salt, stress nerves, water markers, swell factors. Links to fluid hold, reshape, drug aims.
RAAS activation and fluid retentionSympathetic overactivity and tachycardiaNatriuretic peptides and diagnostic valueCytokines, remodeling, and cachexiaNeurohormonal blockade as therapy goal
