[heavenly14313]

I am a student and I have to write about my pt diagnosis - atrial flutter. I cannot find what the standard nursing management should be. This is what I think, PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!

I would think that I would monitor for s/s of stroke and heart failure. And focus on alleviating the symptoms - like using the interventions that are indicated for weakness, fatigue, dyspnea, anxiety etc Then of course, my safety issues - mainly risk for falls? r/t weakness and near syncope? (P/t was admitted w/ secondary diagnosis of near syncope).
Are these right? Because other than the meds, there is nothing I can do to help actual problem (atrial flutter) - right?

As always, your knowledge will be greatly appreciated!

[suzy253]

Well, what is the heart doing during atrial flutter? Pooling of blood is a problem. Is that patient on Coumadin therapy in which you would monitor for s/s bleed; decreased cardiac output. How about Digoxin where you would monitor for digoxin toxicity.

Definitely a complication would be the patient is at increased risk for TIA or stroke.

...just a couple of thoughts

[Kristiern1]

initially....anticoagulation if not contraindicated and rate control.

[ecnav]

Originally Posted by heavenly14313

I am a student and I have to write about my pt diagnosis - atrial flutter. I cannot find what the standard nursing management should be. This is what I think, PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!

I would think that I would monitor for s/s of stroke and heart failure. And focus on alleviating the symptoms - like using the interventions that are indicated for weakness, fatigue, dyspnea, anxiety etc Then of course, my safety issues - mainly risk for falls? r/t weakness and near syncope? (P/t was admitted w/ secondary diagnosis of near syncope).
Are these right? Because other than the meds, there is nothing I can do to help actual problem (atrial flutter) - right?

As always, your knowledge will be greatly appreciated!

Ok, you've presented a typical case. Atrial flutter. You see it on the ECG... flutter waves, now what? Is the pt symptomatic? What’s they’re level of consciousness? Impaired? Then intervene per American Heart Association guidelines. Start BLS and report to your provider, that’s it.

Forget the 'nursing diagnosis'. It's crap. Save a life.