Heart Failure Case Study GUARANTEED
PASS !!
J.S. is a 78-year-old male patient who is experiencing congestive heart failure after abdominal
surgery. He has received digoxin for the past 4 days and has been progressing favorably. J.S. is
usually very alert and entertaining. He is a sports fanatic, and he especially loves football. When
the nurse enters the room, the patient is watching a football game on the television. The patient
asks, "Why are those guys hitting each other and falling on the ground?" The patient is also
confused as to the date and his location. - (ANSWER)
1. What does the nurse suspect is the cause of the sudden onset of confusion? -
(ANSWER)Decreased cerebral circulations and poor gas exchange: Deceased CO caused
decreased cerebral circulation and poor gas exchange
Digoxin Toxicity: too much intracellular toxicity. Common side effects are confusion, dizziness,
drowsiness & trouble seeing
2. What laboratory test does the nurse expect to be ordered? What outcome does the nurse
expect? - (ANSWER)Digoxin Test
BNP B-type natriuretic peptide (the higher the level, the worse the heart level) (other reasons
pulmonary embolism, renal failure and acute coronary failure)
Other tests:
Kidney Function tests
Liver tests
CBC
Urine Analysis
A higher level of BNP suggests worse heart failure.
3. What treatment option does the nurse expect to administer? - (ANSWER)Diuretics/ Fluid
restictions
ACE-inhibitors
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Aldosterone Antagonists
Vasodilators
Oxygen
Digoxin immune fab (digibind)- antidote to digoxin
Page 1 of 2
PASS !!
J.S. is a 78-year-old male patient who is experiencing congestive heart failure after abdominal
surgery. He has received digoxin for the past 4 days and has been progressing favorably. J.S. is
usually very alert and entertaining. He is a sports fanatic, and he especially loves football. When
the nurse enters the room, the patient is watching a football game on the television. The patient
asks, "Why are those guys hitting each other and falling on the ground?" The patient is also
confused as to the date and his location. - (ANSWER)
1. What does the nurse suspect is the cause of the sudden onset of confusion? -
(ANSWER)Decreased cerebral circulations and poor gas exchange: Deceased CO caused
decreased cerebral circulation and poor gas exchange
Digoxin Toxicity: too much intracellular toxicity. Common side effects are confusion, dizziness,
drowsiness & trouble seeing
2. What laboratory test does the nurse expect to be ordered? What outcome does the nurse
expect? - (ANSWER)Digoxin Test
BNP B-type natriuretic peptide (the higher the level, the worse the heart level) (other reasons
pulmonary embolism, renal failure and acute coronary failure)
Other tests:
Kidney Function tests
Liver tests
CBC
Urine Analysis
A higher level of BNP suggests worse heart failure.
3. What treatment option does the nurse expect to administer? - (ANSWER)Diuretics/ Fluid
restictions
ACE-inhibitors
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Aldosterone Antagonists
Vasodilators
Oxygen
Digoxin immune fab (digibind)- antidote to digoxin
Page 1 of 2
