Nursing care plan for aortic valve replacement

Introduction

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a surgical procedure that replaces the diseased aortic valve with an artificial valve, or a mechanical valve or a tissue (bioprosthetic) valve. This surgery is necessary for restoring blood flow through the heart by relieving the blockage in the aortic valve. A proper nursing care plan must be in place to ensure successful surgery and recovery of the patient.

Assessment

The assessment for a patient undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement should include vital parameters, physical condition, functional status, level of comfort and stress, and cardiac output. The patient must be monitored for arrhythmias, dressings, signs of bleeding, drainage from the incisions, vital signs, airway patent and skin integrity. The patient's emotions must be taken into consideration.

Nursing Diagnosis

• Injury related to valve replacement surgery
• Risk for Bleeding/Hemorrhage
• Ineffective Tissue Perfusion related to inadequate cardiac contractility and rhythm
• Ineffective breathing pattern related to anesthesia and pain
• Ineffective Coping
• Impaired Physical Mobility

Outcomes

The patient is expected to have a successful valve replacement surgery, normal vital parameters, stable bleeding, effective tissue perfusion and breathing, improved coping skills, improved physical mobility, and improved overall sense of wellbeing.

Interventions

• Provide emotional support to patient and family
• Regularly monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation
• Observe for signs of bleeding, infection and pain
• Promote rest periods between activities
• Provide education regarding post-operative care, medications and exercises
• Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises
• Position the patient for comfort and improved respiration

Rationales

It is essential to provide emotional support to the patient and family before and after the surgery, to ensure a successful outcome. Regularly monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation helps ensure the patient’s safety during the surgery. Observing for signs of bleeding, infection and pain can help identify any possible problems quickly. Promoting rest periods between activities helps prevent fatigue. Providing patient education will increase understanding of post-surgical lifestyle changes. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises helps prevent complications after surgery. Positioning the patient for comfort and improved respiration helps decrease respiratory distress.

Evaluation

The success of the nursing care plan for Aortic Valve Replacement is evaluated by assessing the patient's vital parameters, physical condition, functional status, level of comfort and stress, and cardiac output. Patient outcomes are measured by changes in these parameters.

Conclusion

Aortic valve replacement requires careful pre- and post-operative nursing care. The development of a customized nursing care plan is important to ensure the patient's safety and recovery. The success of this surgery depends greatly on the nursing care provided to the patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is aortic valve replacement?
   Aortic valve replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces the diseased aortic valve with an artificial valve, or a mechanical valve or a tissue valve.
2. What is the role of nursing in AVR?
   Nurses play an important role in providing pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing AVR. This includes providing emotional support, monitoring vital signs and oxygen saturation, observing for signs of bleeding, infection and pain, promoting rest periods, providing education regarding post-operative care, medications and exercises, and positioning the patient for comfort and improved respiration.
3. How can an AVR outcome be measured?
   AVR outcomes are measured by changes in the patient's vital parameters, physical condition, functional status, level of comfort and stress, and cardiac output.
4. What is the expected outcome of successful AVR?
   The expected outcome of successful AVR is a successful valve replacement surgery, normal vital parameters, stable bleeding, effective tissue perfusion and breathing, improved coping skills, improved physical mobility, and improved overall sense of wellbeing.
5. Is there a risk of complications with AVR surgery?
   Yes, there is a risk of complications with AVR surgery. Some of the risks include infection, blood clots, stroke, arrhythmia, and heart failure.