high degree AV block

Published

Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

hey awesome nurses! okay, long story short, i'm writing up one of my pts from clinical. for part of our exercise we are supposed to write up nursing and collaborative interventions for primary and secondary admitting dx. primary is easy for this pt- L hip fx. but secondary is pre-existing high grade AV block...all i've really been able to find is to monitor vitals and keep an eye on telemetry. this pt also has CHF and cardiomyopathy... am i missing some obvious intervention? sorry i'm still pretty new at this stuff. none of my text books go very far into detail about AV blocks... please help if you can? thanks a ton! :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

These are two good sites to start. They both have general info as well as pathophysiology of blocks, symptoms, treatment, etc.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hb/

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/151597-overview

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

If they don't have a pace maker theres something you may.want to keep at bedside should they go into the block again. Other wise I think u got it covered. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

thanks so much you guys! it's hard for newbies to know what resources are trust worthy on the 'net...ps cardiology rules. :redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If they are going to have a pacemaker put in, prepping for the procedure wouldn't be bad - NPO after midnight, possible antibacterial wash depending on where you work/study, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

With "this pt also has CHF and cardiomyopathy" you may consider 'monitor I/O', and provide a low salt diet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.
With "this pt also has CHF and cardiomyopathy" you may consider 'monitor I/O', and provide a low salt diet.

Also daily weights. And monitor for s/s of pulmonary edema.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MED/SURG STROKE UNIT, LTC SUPER., IMU.

I would suggest checking breath sounds frequently and o2 saturation for the CHF. Strict I/O would also be a must.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion