Summary Congestive Heart Failure Related to Fluid Balance

Congestive Heart Failure Related to Fluid Balance Brooke Garcia Chamberlain College of Nursing NR283- Pathophysiology Dr. Amy Hart September 3, 2021 Fluid balance describes the balance of the input and output of fluids in the body via osmoregulation and daily behaviors such as drinking, eating, perspiration, urinating, and defecating. This balance is vital so that the concentrations of crucial electrolytes in the various body fluids and cells are kept within normal ranges to allow normal metabolic processes to occur and prevent disturbances and adverse outcomes. Fluid overload, also known as hypervolemia, is a fluid balance condition in which too much fluid is circulating in the body. Hypervolemia causes a wide range of complications and is a prevalent clinical indicator in patients with heart failure. The features of congestive heart failure reflect a disorder by the renal retention of sodium and water, which results in intravascular and interstitial fluid volume expansion and reallocation (Miller, 2017, pg. 1). This complication results in an extensive volume of fluid being distributed throughout the circulatory system, which results in heart muscle having to work and pump harder, eventually resulting in heart failure. In addition, excess fluid retained in the blood results in increased oxygen demands within the heart, cardiac dilation, and fibrosis which further worsens cardiac function leading to advanced stages of congestive heart failure (Gologorsky & Roy, 2019, pg. 2). Furthermore, because the heart muscle's contractibility power is becoming diminished from fluid overload, the left ventricle of the heart will not have the ability to push all of the blood out and into circulation leading to a backup of blood in the heart and backflow into the lungs causing pulmonary edema. Considering the concept of fluid balance with the system's disorder congestive heart failure, it is apparent that monitoring the patient's fluid intake and output is an integral part of the nursing care process. Close monitoring of fluid balance and daily weights in patients admitted with acute heart failure (AHF) plays a crucial role in its management and allows for therapeutic considerations (Al-Refaie & Taylor, 2021, p. A113). Furthermore, the nurse should assess a patient's oxygen levels, pulse, heart, and lung sounds during nursing care because of the effects of fluid overload in a congestive heart failure patient. In conclusion, managing fluid balance in patients with congestive heart failure is crucial to their health and well-being. References Al-Refaie, N., & Taylor, L. (2021). 147 Daily weight and fluid balance assessment in patients admitted with acute heart failure. Heart (British Cardiac Society), 107(Suppl 1), A113– A114. Gologorsky, R. C., & Roy, S. (2019). Ultrafiltration for management of fluid overload in patients with heart failure. Artificial Organs, 44(2), 129–139. Miller, W. L. (2016). Fluid volume overload and congestion in heart failure. Circulation: Heart Failure, 9(8).