Lesson 1Clinical signs like neck vein swelling, lung crackles, lying flat breathing trouble, leg swelling — body explanationsConnects typical heart failure signs to body processes, aiding nurses to read neck vein swelling, lung crackles, lying flat breathing issues, leg swelling, and tell right-side from left-side heart 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 reading themCovers main lab and scan tests for heart failure, like heart stress hormones, salts, chest X-ray, 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 device treatments: oxygen, fluid/salt limits, CPAP/BiPAP, fluid removal, implant devices body effectsLooks at non-drug and device treatments like oxygen, fluid and salt cuts, CPAP/BiPAP, fluid 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 processes: pump vs filling issues, lung fluid build-up, shock worseningLooks at sudden heart failure worsening, comparing pump and filling problems, lung fluid, shock build-up. Notes early warnings 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 checks in heart failure: reading blood pressure, pulse, oxygen levels, vein pressureShows how heart failure changes blood pressure, pulse, oxygen sats, vein pressure. Helps nurses track trends, 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 flow, irregular beats, infection, high blood pressure, missed meds body impactsLists common worsening triggers like blood flow blocks, irregular beats, infections, high pressure, missed meds, explains body hits 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 factors: filling load, resistance, squeeze strength, pulse rate, Frank-Starling balanceReviews heart pump factors and how filling, resistance, squeeze, pulse mix in failure. Explains Frank-Starling 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 pressure meds/ARBs, heart slowers, vessel openers, pump boosters — actions and effectsLooks at why drug types fit heart failure, on actions, flow effects, symptom ease, survival 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 build and wiring: rooms, flaps, blood supply paths, electric flow basicsCovers heart rooms, flaps, blood supply, wiring system, linking build to work. Shows how build or wiring 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 replies in heart failure: pressure system, nerve speedup, fluid hormones, body irritantsExplains body hormone kick-in for heart failure, like pressure system, nerve drive, fluid hormones, irritants. 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
