Pericarditis PDF

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pericarditis...

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Pericarditis Assessment:

What am I? Acute inflammation of the pericardium, it can be a chronic disease that causes thickening of the pericardium.

Physiology: Chronic pericarditis constricts the heart causing compression. Due to inflammation loss of pericardial elasticity can result or an accumulation of fluid within the sac, heart failure or cardiac tamponade may result.

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Autoimmune disorders Lupus Scleroderma Rheumatoid arthritis Heart attack Heart surgery

Heart: precordial pain that radiates to the left side of the neck, shoulder or back, pain aggravated by breathing, pain is worse when supine, pericardial friction rub, signs of right of ventricular failure CNS: fever and chills, fatigue and malaise HEME: elevated WBC P: precordial pain A: a-fib I: inflamed pericardial sac N: neck pain radiating from chest E: elevated WBC D: dysphagia, pain when swallowing H: has fluid in the pericardium. E: elevated st segment A: auscultate friction rub R: right ventricular failure symptoms T: tiredness

Nursing interventions: ❖ ❖

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Assess nature of pain. Place client in High fowler's position , upright or leaning forward. Administer analgesic, NSAIDS and corticosteroids. Auscultate for pericardial friction rub. Administer antibiotics. Administer digoxin and diuretics. Monitor for cardiac tamponade. Notify HCP if signs of cardiac tamponade occur.

Labs/ Diagnosis: ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

Electrocardiogram: A-fib, ST elevation Complete blood cell (CBC) Coagulations studies Serum electrolyte Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels.

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Teaching: ❖

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Educate the client on compliance with medications. Have the client take HR prior to administration of digoxin. Have the client keep appointments for lab work. Educate the client on signs and symptoms of exacerbation. Educate the client to rest.

Treatments: ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

NSAIDS Corticosteroids Analgesia Diuretics Digoxin

Medical treatment: ❖ ❖

Pericardiocentesis Pericardiectomy...