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Nursing Management of Pulmonary Edema

The document discusses a 51-year-old man presenting to the emergency department with severe dyspnea and distended neck veins due to pulmonary edema from congestive heart failure. Pulmonary edema occurs when fluid leaks into the lungs due to increased pressure in the small blood vessels of patients with congestive heart failure. Appropriate nursing diagnoses for this patient include ineffective breathing patterns and impaired gas exchange related to pulmonary edema. Medications the nurse should prepare include oxygen therapy, diuretics to decrease fluid accumulation, antihypertensives, and drugs to improve cardiac function such as digitalis and dobutamine.

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30 views2 pages

Nursing Management of Pulmonary Edema

The document discusses a 51-year-old man presenting to the emergency department with severe dyspnea and distended neck veins due to pulmonary edema from congestive heart failure. Pulmonary edema occurs when fluid leaks into the lungs due to increased pressure in the small blood vessels of patients with congestive heart failure. Appropriate nursing diagnoses for this patient include ineffective breathing patterns and impaired gas exchange related to pulmonary edema. Medications the nurse should prepare include oxygen therapy, diuretics to decrease fluid accumulation, antihypertensives, and drugs to improve cardiac function such as digitalis and dobutamine.

Uploaded by

bea pegad
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES


Tamag, Vigan City
2700 Ilocos Sur
College of Nursing
Website: [Link] Mail: unp_nursingvc@[Link]
CP# 09177148749, 09175785986

NAME: Bea Flor Rapisura-Pegad YR&SEC: BSN IV-A DATE:3/4/2021

Critical Thinking Exercise No. 6


Nursing Management of the client with
PULMONARY EDEMA
SITUATION: A 51-year-old man with a history of Congestive Heart Failure arrives at the
Emergency Department after a two-day illness during which he has developed severe
dyspnea. He has distended neck veins and audible bilateral crackles. The nurse immediately
recognizes the client is suffering from Pulmonary Edema.

Answer the following comprehensively.

1. What is the significance of pulmonary edema in the client with congestive heart
failure?

In congestive heart failure, the heart fails to pump an adequate amount of blood
around the body. Back pressure of blood leads to an increase in the pressure within the
smallest blood vessels, and fluid leaks out into the tissues, which causes edema. In
severe cases, fluid may also leak from tiny blood vessels in the lungs, causing what is
known as pulmonary edema.

2. What other clinical manifestations are likely in addition to those demonstrated by the
client/

 Tachycardia
 Edema on the lower extremities
 Bluish lips (cyanosis)
 Cold, clammy skin
 Palpitations
 Cough with frothy, blood tinged sputum
 Wheezing and gasping for breath
3. Cite three nursing diagnosis that are appropriate for the clients suffering from
pulmonary edema?

• Ineffective breathing pattern r/t pulmonary edema as characterized by dyspnea


• Impaired gas exchange r/ t pulmonary edema as evidenced by shortness of breath
 Ineffective tissue perfusion related to disturbances of oxygen transport through
alveolar and capillary membranes

Decreased cardiac output


Fluid volume excess
Anxiety

4. What medications/drugs should the nurse prepare to administer during the crisis
situation and why?

 Oxygen therapy -as per physicians order to counter patients dyspnea


 Diuretics (Lasix,furosemide) - it decreases the fluid accumulated in the heart and
lungs
 Anti hypertensive meds (beta blockers [bisoprolol] (ACE inhibitors [ramipril]
hypertension may lead to pulmonary edema
 Antivirals or antibiotics - viruses and bacteria are common underlying causes if non-
cardiogenic pulmonary edema
 Digitalis to improve cardiac function
 Dobutamine to increase cardiac contractility

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