Lesson 1Clinical signs like neck vein swelling, lung crackles, breathing trouble lying flat, leg swelling — body explanationsConnects common heart failure signs to body processes, helping nurses understand neck vein swelling, lung crackles, breathing trouble when lying down, and 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 results and what they meanCovers main lab and scan tests for heart failure, like heart stress hormones, salts, chest X-ray, and heart scans. Focuses on reading them, watching changes, and what nurses need to know for patient care.
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, fluid removal, heart devices and body effectsLooks at non-drug and device treatments like oxygen, cutting fluid and salt, CPAP/BiPAP, fluid removal machines, and implanted devices, stressing 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: weak vs stiff heart pump, lung fluid buildup, shock from heart failure stepsLooks at causes of sudden bad heart failure, comparing weak and stiff heart pumping, lung fluid, and moving to heart shock. Points out early signs 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, and neck vein pressure. Helps nurses track patterns, spot early worsening, and match signs to patient condition.
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 effectsLists common triggers for worsening like blood shortage to heart, irregular heartbeats, infections, uncontrolled high pressure, skipping meds, and explains body effects and how to stop them.
Myocardial ischemia and infarction effectsArrhythmias and loss of atrial kickInfection, sepsis, and fluid shiftsHypertensive crisis and afterload surgeMedication nonadherence and patient educationLesson 7Heart pump strength factors: filling pressure, resistance, squeeze power, pulse rate, and stretch-pump lawReviews what controls heart pump output and how filling, resistance, squeeze, and pulse interact in failure. Explains stretch-pump law and nurse ways to improve these 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, blood pressure meds/ARBs, heart slowers, blood vessel openers, heart strengtheners — how they work and effectsExplains why certain drugs for heart failure, their body actions, blood flow effects, symptom help, and life benefits. Stresses nurse watching, no-go times, and teaching patients safe use.
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 paths basicsCovers heart rooms, doors, blood supply, electric system, linking parts to work. Shows how shape or electric 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 hormone responses in heart failure: blood pressure system, stress nerves, heart fluid hormones, body fight signalsExplains body hormone start in failure, including blood pressure system, stress nerves, fluid hormones, fight signals. Links to fluid hold, heart change, drug aims.
RAAS activation and fluid retentionSympathetic overactivity and tachycardiaNatriuretic peptides and diagnostic valueCytokines, remodeling, and cachexiaNeurohormonal blockade as therapy goal
