Lesson 1Clinical signs like neck vein swelling, lung crackles, breathing hard when lying flat, leg swelling — body reasons behind themConnects common heart failure signs to body workings, helping nurses understand neck vein swelling, lung crackles, breathing hard when lying flat, leg swelling, and tell right-side from left-side problems.
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 findings and what they meanDescribes main lab and scan tests for heart failure, including heart stress hormones, salts, chest X-ray, heart scans. Stresses reading them, changes over time, and nurse roles in 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, less fluid/salt, CPAP/BiPAP, water removal, implant devices and body effectsLooks at non-drug and device treatments like oxygen, cutting fluid and salt, CPAP/BiPAP, water removal, implants, 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 ways: pump weakness vs stiff heart, lung water build-up, shock from heart failure stepsLooks at ways sudden heart failure worsening happens, comparing pump weakness and stiff heart, lung water, steps to heart shock. Points out early warnings and quick nurse actions.
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 signs in heart failure: reading blood pressure, pulse, oxygen level, neck vein pressureShows how heart failure changes blood pressure, pulse, oxygen in blood, neck vein pressure. Helps nurses track changes, spot early worsening, link 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 sudden triggers: blocked blood to heart, irregular beats, infection, high blood pressure not controlled, missing meds and body impactsFinds common triggers for worsening, like blocked heart blood, irregular beats, infection, uncontrolled high pressure, skipping meds, explains body impacts and prevention.
Myocardial ischemia and infarction effectsArrhythmias and loss of atrial kickInfection, sepsis, and fluid shiftsHypertensive crisis and afterload surgeMedication nonadherence and patient educationLesson 7Heart pump amount factors: stretch before pump, resistance after, squeeze strength, pulse rate, Frank-Starling stretch ruleReviews heart pump factors and how stretch before, resistance after, squeeze, pulse interact in failure. Explains stretch rule and nurse ways to improve through care.
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, ACE/ARB blood vessel relaxers, beta heart slowers, vessel openers, pump boosters — ways and expected resultsLooks at why certain drugs for heart failure, focusing on ways, blood flow effects, symptom ease, life benefits. Stresses nurse watching, no-gos, patient teaching 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 electric flow: rooms, doors, heart blood supply, electric path basicsCovers heart rooms, doors, blood supply, electric system, linking parts to work. Shows how part or electric faults lead to failure and guide 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 hormone replies in heart failure: salt-water system, nerve speed-up, water balance hormones, body fight chemicalsExplains body hormone start in failure, including salt-water, nerve system, water hormones, fight chemicals. Links to water hold, heart change, drug targets.
RAAS activation and fluid retentionSympathetic overactivity and tachycardiaNatriuretic peptides and diagnostic valueCytokines, remodeling, and cachexiaNeurohormonal blockade as therapy goal
