Page 161 - Critical Maternity & Newborn Health Nursing
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• Teach signs and symptoms of deteriorating cardiac status (such as
dyspnea, orthopnea, cough and hemoptesis) and how to report
them. Education for self-care:
• The woman should understand her condition:
• Signs of decompensation.
• Any medication she is taking and how to use it.
• Reasons for the need to decrease activity if symptoms occur.
When therapy is being initiated, the nurse should assist the patient
by:
• Providing oxygenation.
• Providing skin care.
• Ensuring that constipation is avoided.
• Promoting good nutrition.
Nursing Management for Patients with Class Ill or IV
Heart Disease
• Patients with grade III heart disease should not leave the hospital
until they reached grade I.
• Grade IV patients should not leave hospital at any time until after
delivery.
• The patient may need to be hospitalized for digitalis therapy.
• The nurse should take apical pulse for a full minute before
administration of digitalis and withhold dose if pulse is < 60.
• Check cardiac monitor for arrhythmias.
• Observe for hypokalemia.
• Provide foods high in potassium.
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