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Rheumatic Heart Disease

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Introduction: Acute Rheumatic fever: Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is an acute autoimmune disease that occurs as a sequel  of group A- streptococcal infection which is characterized by inflammation of connective tissue, primarily affecting the joints and heart. Rheumatic Heart Disease is a condition that occurs when rheumatic fever causes long term damage to the heart and its valves. Etiology: Most initial attack of ARF occur 1 to 5 weeks (average 3 weeks) after a streptococcal throat infection or infections of the upper respiratory tract. Peak incidence among children between ages 6 to 15.  A family history of Rheumatic fever and lower economic status are additional factors. Pathophysiology: Clinical Manifestations: Major Manifestations: (JONES Criteria) Carditis : Manifested by systolic or diastolic murmur, prolonged PR and QT interval on ECG, and possibly by signs of CHF in echo. Poly-arthritis: Pain and limited movement of two or more joints. Joints are swollen, red, warm, and tend
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Nursing Management of Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder characterised by formation of autoantibodies directed against self-antigens and immune-complex formation resulting in damage to essentially any organ. Clinical Manifestations : Assessment and Diagnostic Findings : Diagnosis of lupus is difficult because sign and symptoms vary considerably from person to person. Signs and symptoms lupus may vary over time and overlap with those of many other disorders. No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, sign and symptoms and physical examination findings leads to the diagnosis .  Laboratory and imaging tests include : 1. Complete Blood count  2. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate  3. Kidney and liver assessment 4. Antinuclear antibody ( ANA ) test 5. Chest X-ray  6. Echocardiogram 7. Urinalysis The American College of Rheumatology has established criteria for the classificatio
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Congestive Cardiac Failure

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Introduction:                      Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) is a clinical syndrome that can result from any structural and functional cardiac disorders that impairs the ability of ventricles to fill with and pump sufficient blood to meet the needs of the tissues for oxygen and nutrients.
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Nursing Management of Hydrocephalus

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Hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the intracranial spaces. It occurs due to imbalance between production or absorption of CSF or due to obstruction of CSF pathways. It results in the dilation of the cerebral ventricles and enlargement of the head. Etiology  / Causes : It may occur due to congenital or acquired causes. Congenital Hydrocephalus:           It occurs due to following conditions: Intrauterine infections : mainly in rubella, cytomegalovirus  Congenital brain tumor obstructing the CSF flow. Intracranial hemorrhage Congenital malformation like aqueduct stenosis, displacement of brainstem and cerebellum, blocking of septum or membrane of outlet of the 4th ventricle. Malformation of arachnoid villi. Acquired Hydrocephalus:           It occurs usually in following conditions : Inflammation : meningitis, encephalitis Trauma : birth trauma , head injury , intracranial  haemorrhage  Neoplasm : space occupying lesi
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Happy International Nurses Day ❤️🎉

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Nursing Care of Terminally ill Patients

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Terminal Illness Definition : It is a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of patient with a short period of time. A patient who has such illness may be referred as terminal patient or terminally ill patient : often a patient is considered terminally ill when their estimated life expectancy is six months or less. Stages of Terminally Illness: Different patients react to the news that they have a terminal illness in different ways. In general , almost all patients go through various stages of acceptance when disease like cancer has been diagnosed. A) First stage : The first stage is disbelief. There is extreme anxiety  especially about unknown. Shock , despair and anger are common in this phase . The patient may also experience guilt about feeling angry and this can increase the feeling of anger . This phase usually lasts from few days to few months .  B ) Second stage : The second stage is d
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Myocardial Infarction ( Heart Attack)

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Introduction:       Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack is the irreversible necrosis of heart muscle secondary to prolonged ischemia. Results from an imbalance is oxygen supply and demand, caused by plaque rupture with thrombus formation in a coronary vessel, resulting in an acute reduction of blood supply to a portion of the myocardium. Risk factors: Non-modifiable risk factors: Age. Sex. Genetic Influence. Race. Modifiable risk factors: High Blood pressure. Smoking. High cholesterol. Weight and inactivity. Diabetes. Causes: Age: Individuals aged >40 years have 8 times greater risk for AMI. Sex: Men- >55 years. Women- >65 years. Smoking: Increases the risk by 4 times. Obesity: people who have excess body fat especially at the waist are most likely to develop heart disease. Lack of physical exercise: has been linked to 7- 12% of the cases. Acute and prolonged intake of high quantity of alcohol: increases
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