This article provides a brief introduction on how specialists can provide care to patients with right-sided heart failure (HF). The uniqueness of this article is that it discusses a phenomenon that has not received enough attention in contrast to left-sided HF. Albert (2021) gives the precise definition of right-sided HF, its causes, types, and possible ways of testing. She explains that in case of failure, the independent work of right-side and left-side ventricles will lead to systemic hypoperfusion, systemic venous congestion, and fluid retention (Albert, 2021). The leading cause of right-sided HF is mostly hemodynamic instability, which can be the result of pulmonary embolism, right ventricular myocardial infarction, and some kind of postcardiotomy shock after cardiac surgery. As for medical management, Albert (2021) suggests that “volume management, beta blockade, and arterial vasodilation, as well as treating pulmonary arterial hypertension” are the main processes there (p. 10). Besides these measures, nurses can inform patients about sodium and fluid restriction goals (Alber, 2021). This close contact of mutual understanding between patient and nurse will definitely help patients identify the pathophysiology of their symptoms and inform about it. To sum up, this article is informative in the sense that it discusses an entirely under-researched phenomenon of right-sided HF. However, there is a lack of explanation of key terms that are used in the analysis. Although it is not the aim of an academic scholar to explain every used term, there should be a description of discussed processes. As a result, it is tough to read this article for students who are not enough experienced in the field. The author should lengthen the text by adding a more thorough discussion of the key terms to make the text clearer.
Reference
Albert, N. M. (2021). Right-sided heart failure: Give the right side of the heart the attention it’s due. American Nurse. Web.