Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors of Congestive Cardiac Failure

Case Study

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Causes, incidence and risk factors of the identified condition and its impact on the patient
and family....................................................................................................................................1
2. Five common signs and symptoms of the identified condition with a link to their underlying
pathophysiology...........................................................................................................................2
3. Two common classes of drugs used for patients with the identified condition including
physiological effect of each class on the body. This does not mean specific drugs but rather the
class that these drugs belong to...................................................................................................3
4. Identify and explain, in order of priority the nursing care strategies you, as the registered
nurse, should use within the first 24 hours post admission for this patient.................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

1. Causes, incidence and risk factors of the identified condition and its impact on the patient and
family
This is to state the causes of Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) in a 77 years old female
Mrs Sharon where she has a past medical history of MI being the biggest reason behind it. CCF
is basically referred to be a severely advanced condition of heart failure that impacts upon the
pumping power of one’s heart muscles. Being commonly regarded as heart failure, CCF refers to
an advanced phase of fluids building up everywhere around the heart making it difficult for the
heart to effectively pump blood (Tissot, da Cruz & Miyamoto, 2014). It is however a life
threatening ailment that requires prompt medicinal treatment. With a foremost cause of
myocardial infarction (MI), a high rate of blood pressure has stated to be yet another reason
behind the illness of Mrs Sharon where hypertension directly leads to CCF. It is due to a
foremost consequence of hypertension that tends to narrow down the arteries, making it difficult
for the blood to effortlessly flow in the body.
The incidence of CCF is higher in people aged more than 40 years where 10 out of 1000
individuals ageing nearly 65 years or above have a greater chance of dealing with a CCF. It is
specified to be a public health issue with a prevalence of more than 23 million elderly
populations, all over the globe. In Australia, it is known to affect near about 1.2 million people
and is often found to be a foremost reason behind deaths (Swedberg, Komajda & Shift
Investigators, 2012). In the year 2015, it has claimed nearly 20, 000 Australians by killing 1
Australian in every 27 minutes. There together exist some other associated risk factors that leads
to an increased chance of CCF. This involves cardiomyopathy where Mrs Sharon also suffered
from inflamed ankles. Also, it has a higher risk of development in case an individual is diabetic
and has thyroid related disorders with excessive and illegal use of several alcohol and drugs like
cocaine, etc. Illness related to heart valves with irregular heartbeats or any congenital heart
disease also results in it.
CCF results in affecting both the patient and their family members to a great extent. It is
where the patient suffers both mental and physical challenges to cope up with the associated
syndromes of CCF (Ramaraj & Movahed, 2010). An increased shortness of inhalation and pain
in chest are some physical issues faced by patients like Mrs Sharon with some deals with
psychological trauma and goes in the state of depression. Considering the impact on family, the
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