Risk for decreased cardiac output

Domain 4. Activity-rest
Class 4. Cardiovascular-pulmonary responses
Diagnostic Code: 00240
Nanda label: Risk for decreased cardiac output
Diagnostic focus: Cardiac output

Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output

Introduction

The world of healthcare is constantly evolving, and understanding the different nursing diagnoses is one way for nurses to stay ahead of the curve and remain informed. This article looks at the nursing diagnosis ‘Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output’ – what it is, its risk factors and associated conditions and how it can be managed and evaluated successfully.

NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition

A type of nursing diagnosis, Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output (also referred to as Peripheral Vascular Insufficiency) is defined by NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) as an increased susceptibility to decreased effectiveness of cardiac function resulting in a reduced heart's ability to deliver oxygenated blood to appropriate cells throughout the body. It is important for nurses to monitor any changes in cardiac functioning and understand what might contribute to this nursing diagnosis.

Risk Factors & Associated Conditions

There are several different risk factors associated with this nursing diagnosis. Age, gender, potential cardiac arrests, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, peripheral arterial disease, or an abnormal ECG, a muscle or nerve damage, or anaemia can all lead to a decrease in cardiac output. Similarly, there are a number of associated conditions that can further complicate the situation – these include sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, valvular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension.

Suggestions of Use

For any individual suffering from a condition that could lead to a reduced cardiac output, it is important for healthcare professionals to maintain regular check-ups to monitor progress and adjust treatments accordingly. An understanding of the patient’s condition and the specifics of their medical history can help to develop an effective care plan and course of treatment. When designing a care plan for patients in this situation, it is important to consider the patient’s lifestyle; daily habits, diet, physical activity, medications taken and sleep quality should all be monitored and adjusted where necessary.

It is equally important to keep the patient informed of their situation and the risks involved in order to ensure they are aware of any potential issues and able to recognise the signs of any changes. Additionally, providing support and education to the patient around techniques to manage the physical and emotional symptoms of the diagnosis can be extremely beneficial.

Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnosis

NANDA provides a number of alternative nursing diagnoses that patients suffering from a decrease in cardiac output may benefit from understanding and implementing into their care plans. These include:

• Ineffective Activity Planning: This refers to the patient’s inability to plan effectively for an activity in terms of its purpose, duration, and particular requirements.
• Fatigue: This refers to an overall feeling of tiredness and exhaustion, regardless of how much rest has been taken.
• Pain: This refers to any type of aching or tenderness.
• Ineffective Breathing Pattern: This refers to any irregularities or abnormalities in a patient’s breathing rhythm.
• Risk for Aspiration: This nursing diagnosis refers to a patient’s susceptibility to aspiration or choking on fluids or food.

Usage Tips

Nurses should always ensure that they follow the correct procedures, including regularly monitoring the patient’s vital signs and any other tests that may be required. They should also explore different possible treatments and solutions with the patient and involve them in the decision-making process wherever possible. Nurses should also strive to create a caring and supportive environment, taking time to explain any findings and treatments clearly to the patient.

List of NOC Outcome

The following list of Nursing Outcome Classification (NOC) can help nurses to monitor the progress of patients with Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output:

• Breathing Pattern: This involves monitoring the patient’s respiratory rate and analysing whether issues such as shortness of breath or any dyspnoea present.
• Cardiac Output: This involves monitoring the amount of blood that the heart pumps within a given time to assess whether there have been changes to cardiac output.
• Level of Activity Tolerance: This involves assessing the level of physical activity the patient is able to tolerate on a daily basis.
• Performance of Cardiac Tasks: This involves assessing whether the patient is able to perform daily tasks without difficulty, such as walking up a flight of stairs.
• Mobility: This involves assessing the ability of the patient to move freely and comfortably within daily activities.

Evaluation Objectives & Criteria

When evaluating the progress of a patient with Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output, it is important to establish both objectives and criteria. The objectives involve outlining the desired outcome of the evaluation and could include improving the patient’s physical activity, mobility or breath pattern. The criteria is the set of parameters that will be used to measure success in attaining the established objectives. These could include the amount of physical activity completed over a specific period, or the reduction of the patient’s breathing rate.

NIC Interventions

The following list of Nurse Interventions Classification (NIC) can help nurses to build more effective care plans for patients with Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output:

• Activity Planning: This includes helping the patient to plan any upcoming activity while considering their needs and limitations.
• Motion Therapy: This involves providing the patient with regular exercise and therapy to strengthen the muscles and improve their mobility.
• Cardiopulmonary Care: This involves regularly monitoring cardiac performance to ensure healthy functioning of the heart.
• Pain Management: This involves providing the patient with pain-relieving drugs and therapies that are specifically tailored to their needs.
• Positioning Therapy: This involves training the patient to use positioning techniques to help ease discomfort and improve their breathing patterns.

Nursing Activities

Nurse activities provide an excellent opportunity for nurses to monitor the patient’s progress and measure the success of their care plan. These activities should involve regularly checking the patient’s vital signs, providing daily exercises and therapies to suit their needs and discussing any difficulties or questions that the patient may have. Additionally, interactions with other members of the healthcare team, such as cardiologists or physiotherapists, can help to ensure the most effective and comprehensive care plan is implemented.

Conclusion

Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output is a complex and potentially dangerous nursing diagnosis that requires a tailored and well-informed approach. By understanding the risk factors and associated conditions, healthcare professionals can develop the most effective care plans and interventions to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient. Regular monitoring of both physical and emotional symptoms and the inclusion of appropriate therapies can all help to ensure successful management of the patient’s condition.

5 FAQs

• What is Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output? Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output is a nursing diagnosis that refers to a reduced heart's ability to deliver oxygenated blood to appropriate cells throughout the body.
• What causes decreased cardiac output? There are many potential causes of a decrease in cardiac output including age, gender, potential cardiac arrests, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, and peripheral arterial disease.
• What are the associated conditions for decreased cardiac output? Associated conditions for a decrease in cardiac output include sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, valvular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension.
• What activities should a nurse have when dealing with a patient who has decreased cardiac output? Nurses should assess the patient’s condition, provide them with education and support, design a suitable care plan, monitor their vital signs, assess their lifestyle and train them in positioning techniques.
• What types of therapies should I use to manage decreased cardiac output? Nurses should explore different possible treatments and solutions with the patient such as Activity Planning, Motion Therapy, Cardiopulmonary Care, Pain Management and Positioning Therapy.

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