NR 505 Week 2 Case Study SUMMER 2024

Differentiate between systolic and diastolic heart failure Heart failure occurs when the heart ability to effectively pump enough blood is altered and leads to a decreased cardiac output. Systolic heart failure occurs when the left and right ventricles cannot contract (squeeze) properly when the heart beats. The signs and symptoms of systolic heart failure are shortness of breath, fatigue, nocturia, edema in the bilateral lower extremities, dizziness, and confusion (The John Hopkins, 2023). Diastolic heart failure occurs when the left ventricle muscle becomes stiff or thickened in between heartbeats. The cardiac output is compromised because of the poor ventricular compliance. The signs and symptoms of diastolic heart failure are unexplained fatigue, difficultly concentrating, fluid retention causing edema, lack of appetite and nausea, and shortness of breath during exertion and lying flat (The John Hopkins, 2023). State whether the patient is in systolic or diastolic heart failure Since the patient has a history of hypertension, a decreased EF of 25%, 2+ pitting ankle edema, inspiratory crackles, and decreased wall motion it is most likely that he has Systolic Heart Failure. Heart failure with an ejection fraction of less than 50% is likely to be systolic heart failure because with diastolic heart failure the ejection fraction is often normal (MacNamara, et. al., 2021). Explain the pathophysiology associated with each of the following symptoms: dyspnea on exertion, pitting edema, jugular vein distention, and orthopnea.