Nursing the Cardiac Patient

Nursing the Cardiac Patient is a practical guide that addresses the management of cardiac patients across the spectrum of health care settings. It assists nurses to develop a complete understanding of the current evidence based practice and principles underlying the care and management of the cardiac patient. It combines theoretical and practical components of cardiac care in an accessible and user-friendly format, with case studies and practical examples throughout.

Melanie Humphreys is Director of Postgraduate and Post-qualifying programmes within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health at Keele University.

Chapter 1: Acute Coronary Syndromes in perspective.Overview of ACS.National Service Framework.NICE guidelines.Role of multi-disciplinary team.Chapter 2: Reducing the risk: Primary Care initiatives.NSF targets.Referral and assessment.Exercise and stress testing.Rapid access chest pain clinics.Patient information booklets.Well-person clinics.Sudden Cardiac death.AED in the community/ role of first responders.Chapter 3: Assessment of the cardiovascular system.Cardiovascular examination.Chest pain assessment.Recording a 12-lead ECG.ECG interpretation.Cardiac monitoring.Laboratory tests.Diagnostic procedures.Chapter 4: Unstable Angina.Unstable angina in perspective.Chapter summary.Chapter 5: Non-ST segment elevation infarct.Chapter objectives.NSTEMI in perspective.Chapter summary.Chapter 6: ST segment elevation infarction.STEMI in perspective.Risk stratification.Infarct regions.Posterior infarction.Inferior infarction.Anterior infarction.Right ventricular infarctio.The diabetic patient.Chapter 7: Therapeutic interventions in ACS.Reperfusion strategies.Pharmacological interventions.Classification of drugs.Action potential.Surgical interventions.PCI/stents.Patient transfer to theatre/tertiary centre.Chapter 8: Arrhythmias and their management.Atrial fibrillation.Tachyarrhythmias.Bradyarrhythmias.Life-threatening arrhythmias.Cardiac arrest and CPR.Chapter 9: Emergency Cardiac Care.Acute heart failure.Pericarditis.Cardiac tamponade.Cardiogenic shock.DVT & PE.Chapter 10: Electrolyte disturbances and their effect on the heart.Action potential.Potassium disturbances.Calcium disturbances.Magnesium disturbances.Chapter 11: Rehabilitation and secondary prevention.Discharge planning.Addressing cultural & spiritual needs (multi-faith).Convalescence.Supporting risk factor modification.Care in the community.Aftercare support groups.Complementary therapies.Chapter summary..Chapter 12: Ethical issues in cardiac care.Establishing competence.Consent.DNAR.Withdrawal of active treatment.Chapter summary