title: Smoking and the heart patient.
abstract: It has been shown that inhaled smoke and its toxic constituents, specifically nicotine and carbon monoxide, are positively correlated with an increase in the incidence, progression, and lethal consequences of coronary heart disease. Smoking is a complex habit made up of both pharmacologic and psychosociologic determinants. Unlearning the habit may take time. The nurse is an ideal person to counsel the hospitalized smoker, since she is close to the patient and is seen by the patient as a credible health worker. Once the smoker has begun his relearning process the biggest problem will be staying off cigarettes in the months and years that follow. Family members should be included in the counseling process as they will be needed for support and encouragement. Follow-up is necessary either on a one-to-one basis or in a smoking clinic. In addition to counseling, the nurse has a responsibility to speak our publicly to maintain optimum smoking health standards.
mesh_terms: D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000378:metabolism*; D009726:Nurses; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide