Nursing Care for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Conjunction with Congestive Heart Failure: a Case Study

Abstract

This case study aimed to investigate a 58-year-old female patient with atrial fibrillation in conjunction with acute heart failure Who was medicated with arrhythmias (antiarrhythmic drugs), Warfarin, a high-risk drug. The patient was admitted to Singburi Hospital in November 2023. Data were collected from the patient's medical records, and a comprehensive analysis was conducted. Nursing diagnoses were established, a nursing care plan was developed, and nursing interventions were implemented. in each phase – critical, subcritical, and preparation for discharge – the patient's progress was continuously assessed.

The results of the study revealed that the patient denied having an underlying disease arriving at the hospital with symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations, and chest tightness. Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed atrial fibrillation at 148 bpm. and the patient received antiarrhythmic drugs and continuously underwent an EKG and ECG. The CHA2DS2-VASc score for atrial fibrillation stroke risk was 2 points before medicating her with warfarin. While observing the patient's symptoms, she was found to have an acute heart attack. She received furosemide and oxygen, but no tissue depletion was found. Provided with nursing care, she was hospitalized for a total of 6 days.

It is crucial for nurses to have knowledge and skills to provide critical nursing care. This involves continuous monitoring and assessing changes in the patient's condition, vigilance for significant complications, and appropriate discharge planning since the goal of nursing care is to reduce patients’ mortality rates and prevent hospital readmissions.