Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example
The cardiovascular and respiratory systems’ functions have an inextricable linking. Therefore, understanding their functions is a crucial capability that APRNs should enable effective disease diagnosis and treatment. Besides, APRNs also play an essential role in educating and guiding patients through their treatment regimens. This essay discusses the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary processes, racial/ethnic variables, and the interaction of these processes in a clinical case involving a 76-year-old patient.(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
The Cardiovascular and Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiologic Processes Result In the Patient Presenting Symptoms
The patient presents weight gain, shortness of breath, peripheral edema, and abdominal swelling, which are significant effects of cognitive heart failure (CHF) (Malik et al., 2020). CHF is a clinical syndrome due to the heart’s inability to deliver sufficient blood to the peripheral tissues to meet their metabolic demands. Due to CHF, the heart’s contractile performance becomes maladaptive as it tries to sustain adequate cardiac activity.(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
Apoptosis and regeneration due to chronic stress on the heart lead to myocyte hypertrophy, leading to a reduced heart function, which causes a series of vascular and neurohumoral mechanisms (Malik et al., 2020). Equally, the processes activate the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system (RAAS) and sympathetic nervous systems (SNS). The former leads to vasoconstriction, afterload, and preload, while the latter causes increased inotropy, heart rate, and myocardial toxicity. These processes results complicate heart function and increase fluid retention leading to the patient’s symptoms.(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
The Racial/Ethnic Variables Are Influencing Physiological Functioning
Racial and ethnic disparities influence on the CHF management outcomes in the USA is persistent. For example, the black American community is disproportionately affected by heart failure compared to whites. According to Nayak et al. (2020), the mortality and hospitalization rate among black men and women attributed to HF is 2-fold higher than whites due to predisposition to exacerbating factors such as inadequate access to proper care, poor social, economic conditions. Besides, genetic susceptibility and implicit bias also result in the difference in the predisposition of Black Americans to HF.(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
How These Processes Interact To Affect the Patient
Reduced heart performance causes blood to back up on veins supplying the blood to the lungs. Vasocontraction causes increased pressure on blood vessels and the lungs, pushing the fluid into the lungs’ alveoli leading to pulmonary edema. The increased hydrostatic pressure and capillary permeability increase the movement of fluids from the intravascular space into the interstitial space (McCance & Huether, 2018). As a result, the lungs’ optimal oxygen movement is reduced.(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
These two processes result in shortness of breath as presented by the patient. In addition, chronic heart failure increases the interaction between the two processes, leading to the fluid accumulating in the abdominal cavity, causing a distended abdomen as presented by the patient. Equally, the fluid accumulation in the body and the non-adherence to diuretics by the patient can lead to increased body weight as presented by the patient.(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
Conclusion
In sum, the patient is in a critical yet manageable clinical condition. APRNs can help in counseling and educating the patient on the importance of diuretics in helping the body get rid of the body fluid, which can equally affect her movement. Besides, APRNs can reinitiate and manage the patient’s medication during her hospital stays. Therefore, APRN understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory systems’ interaction in disease management is crucial in clinical situations as the one presented. (Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
References
Malik, A., Brito, D., & Chhabra, L. (2020). Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). StatPearls [Internet]. (Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430873/
McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2018). Pathophysiology-E-book: the biologic basis for disease in adults and children. Elsevier Health Sciences. Nayak, A., Hicks, A. J., & Morris, A. A. (2020). Understanding the Complexity of Heart Failure Risk and Treatment in Black Patients. Circulation: Heart Failure, 13(8), e007264(Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Case Study Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example). https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.120.007264
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