NURS 6501 Wk5 Alterations of Cardiovascular Function in Children

Week 5: Cardiovascular System, Part 2

Although cardiovascular disorders are commonly associated with adults and older populations, these disorders are quite prevalent in children as well. Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in people under the age of 24 (Children’s Hospital and Health System, 2012). Nevertheless, because it is considered a problem for adults, cardiovascular disorders within pediatric patients are often missed or ignored even when identified. As an advanced practice nurse, you must be able to distinguish normal pediatric cardiac function from abnormal function in order to identify these cardiovascular disorders. In a clinical setting, you might not actually manage and treat all identified disorders, but you need to be able to recognize them and refer patients for specialized care when necessary.

With this in mind, you continue your journey through the cardiovascular system. You examine the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders that are prevalent in pediatrics. Additionally, you explore the impact of patient factors on these disorders.

Reference
Children’s Hospital and Health System. (2012). Cardiovascular disorders. Retrieved from http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/23020/router.asp

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Evaluate the impact of patient factors on diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular alterations
Analyze the physiologic progression of anaphylactic shock
Evaluate the impact of patient factors on the physiological process of anaphylactic shock
Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to alterations of the cardiovascular system specific to children

Photo Credit: sisu/RooM/Getty Images

Required Readings

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Chapter 23, “Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems”

This chapter examines the circulatory system, heart, systemic circulation, and lymphatic system to establish a foundation for normal cardiovascular function. It focuses on the structure and function of various parts of the circulatory system to illustrate normal blood flow.

Chapter 24, “Alterations of Cardiovascular Function”

This chapter presents the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. It focuses on diseases of the veins and arteries, disorders of the heart wall, heart disease, and shock.

Chapter 25, “Alterations of Cardiovascular Function in Children”

This chapter examines cardiovascular disorders that affect children. It distinguishes congenital heart diseases from acquired cardiovascular disorders.

Hammer, G. G. , & McPhee, S. (2014). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine. (7th ed.) New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Chapter 10, “Cardiovascular Disorders: Heart Disease”

This chapter begins by exploring the normal structure and function of the heart. It then examines the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of five heart disorders: arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, and pericardial disease.

Jacobsen, R. C., & Gratton, M. C. (2011). A case of unrecognized prehospital anaphylactic shock.Prehospital Emergency Care, 15(1), 61–66.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article provides information relating to the diagnosis and management of anaphylactic shock. It also explores difficulties encountered when diagnosing uncommon clinical presentations of anaphylactic shock.

Optional Resources

American Heart Association. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

Million Hearts. (2012). Retrieved from http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

Discussion 1: Cardiovascular Alterations

At least once a year, the media report on a seemingly healthy teenage athlete collapsing during a sports game and dying of heart complications. These incidents continue to outline the importance of physical exams and health screenings for teenagers, especially those who play sports. During these health screenings, examiners check for cardiovascular alterations such as heart murmurs because they can be a sign of an underlying heart disorder. Since many heart alterations rarely have symptoms, they are easy to miss if health professionals are not specifically looking for them. Once cardiovascular alterations are identified in patients, it is important to refer them to specialists who can further investigate the cause.

Consider the following scenario:

A 16-year-old male presents for a sports participation examination. He has no significant medical history and no family history suggestive of risk for premature cardiac death. The patient is examined while sitting slightly recumbent on the exam table and the advanced practice nurse appreciates a grade II/VI systolic murmur heard loudest at the apex of the heart. Other physical findings are within normal limits, the patient denies any cardiovascular symptoms, and a neuromuscular examination is within normal limits. He is cleared with no activity restriction. Later in the season he collapses on the field and dies.

To Prepare

Review the scenario provided, as well as Chapter 25 in the Huether and McCance text. Consider how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment for the patient.
Select one of the following patient factors: genetics, ethnicity, or behavior. Reflect on how the factor you selected might impact diagnosis and prescription of treatment for the patient in the scenario.

By Day 3 à Post a description of how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment for the patient in the scenario. Then explain how the factor you selected might impact the diagnosis and prescription of treatment for that patient.

By Day 5à Respond to at least two of your colleagues who selected a different factor than you, in one of the following ways:

Quiz à May include the following topics:

Acquired cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathies)
Congenital heart disease
The four categories of shock and the pathophysiological mechanisms of each category—hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive shock, distributive
Endocarditis
Heart murmurs across the lifespan
Kawasaki disease
Pericarditis

By Day 7 à Be sure to complete this week’s Quiz

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NURS 6501 Wk5 Alterations of Cardiovascular Function in Children