Timby/Smith: Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10/e

Copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Timby/Smith: Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10/e

Chapter 23: Caring for Clients with Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders of

the Heart and Blood Vessels


Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Carditis• Systemic inflammatory disease that can follow Strep A

throat infection, which can manifest in cardiac structures• Cause: Antibodies cross-react against host cardiac tissue

resulting in valvular damage, pancarditis• Diagnostics: O titer; ESR; C-reactive protein; ECG;

echocardiograph • Signs/Symptoms: Acute rheumatic fever; Carditis;

Polyarthritis; Rash, subcutaneous nodules; Chorea; Inability to use skeletal muscles

• Treatment: Drugs: IV antibiotics, ATB therapy, aspirin, steroids; Surgery; Bed rest

• Nursing Management


QuestionIs the following statement true or false?

Rheumatic carditis is the name of the infection which manifests in cardiac structures.


AnswerTrue.

Rheumatic carditis is the name of the infection which manifests in cardiac structures after a client has a rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is a systemic inflammation.


Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Carditis


Infective Endocarditis• Inflammation of the endocardium (inner layer of

cardiac tissue) • Cause: Bacteria, fungi• Diagnostics: Blood culture; transesophageal

echocardiography; ECG• Signs/Symptoms: Fever; Chills; Muscle aches; Joint

pain; Osler’s nodes; Splinter hemorrhages; Janeway’s lesions; Roth’s spots; Enlarged spleen; Petechiae

• Treatment: IV antibiotic; Antibiotic therapy; Bed rest; Surgery: Valve replacement



Myocarditis• Inflammation of the myocardium (muscle layer of the

heart)• Cause: Microbial infection; EtOH, cocaine abuse;

Radiation therapy; Autoimmune disorders• Diagnostics: WBC count; C-reactive protein test;

Cardiac isoenzyme levels; ECG; Echocardiography; Radionuclide studies; Myocardial biopsy

• Signs/Symptoms: Chest pain; Low-grade fever; Tachycardia; Dysrhythmias; Dyspnea, etc.

• Treatment: ATB; Cardiotonic meds; Heart transplant (severe case)



Cardiomyopathy• Cause: Chronic condition of structural changes in

cardiac muscle resulting in the inability of the heart muscle to pump blood efficiently

• Diagnostics: Chest radiography; Echocardiogram; ECG; Cardiac catheterization; Endomyocardial biopsy; Radionuclide studies

• Signs/Symptoms: Heart murmur; Forceful heart contractions− Dilated: Dyspnea, fatigue, swollen legs,

palpitations, chest pain− Hypertrophic: Chest pain, syncope, fatigue, short of

breath, acute illness after strenuous exercise



Cardiomyopathy is a chronic cardiac structural condition resulting in the heart pumping inefficiently.


AnswerTrue.

Cardiomyopathy is a chronic cardiac structural condition.


Cardiomyopathy• Signs/Symptoms (Cont’d)

− Restrictive: Exertional dyspnea, edema in legs, ascites, hepatomegaly

• Treatment: – Medications: Diuretics; Antidysrhythmics; Cardiac

glycosides; Anticoagulants; Antiinflammatories– Surgery: Ventriculomyomectomy; Artificial

pacemaker; Heart transplant• Nursing Management


Cardiomyopathy


Pericarditis• Inflammation of the pericardium usually secondary to

cardiac disorders, surgery resulting in cardiac tamponade; Pulsus paradoxus

• Diagnostics: ECG; Chest radiography; Blood tests; Echocardiography

• Signs/Symptoms: Fever; Malaise; Dyspnea; Precordial pain

• Treatment: Rest; Analgesics; Antipyretics; NSAIDs; Corticosteroids; Pericardiocentesis; Pericardiostomy; Pericardiectomy



Pericarditis


Thrombophlebitis• Inflammation of vein resulting in clot formation (DVT

– lower extremities), pulmonary embolus (Clot migrating toward pulmonary circulation); Postphlebitic syndrome; Virchow’s triad

• Diagnostics: Venography; Doppler ultrasound; Impedance plethysmography

• Signs/Symptoms: Affected extremity discomfort; + Homans’ sign; Heat; Redness; Edema; Fever; Malaise; Anorexia

• Treatment: Complete rest of extremity; continuous warm, wet packs; Anticoagulant therapy; Oral anticoagulants; Surgery; Filter placement



Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger’s Disease)• Lower extremity arterial lumen spasms: Restrict

blood flow causing vascular occlusions resulting in hypoxia, anoxia, ulcerations, gangrene

• Diagnostics: Doppler ultrasound; IPG; Angiography• Signs/Symptoms: Cold, numb, burning, tingling feet;

Cyanosis; Redness of feet and legs; Mottled skin; Leg ulcers; Black, gangrenous toes and heels; Thick nails; Peripheral pulses disappear with activity; Intermittent claudication

• Treatment: Tobacco restriction; Buerger-Allen exercises; Analgesics; (Leg ulcers): Moist dressings; Topical antiseptics; Antibiotic ointments; (Surgery): Sympathectomy; Wound debridement; Amputation




Buerger’s disease can result in amputation of the lower extremities.


AnswerTrue.

Buerger’s disease can result in amputation of the lower extremities. Surgeons only amputate as necessary and then only as much as needs removed to keep the client safe.


End of Presentation

Timby/Smith: Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10/e

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