title: A practical approach to teaching the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patient.
abstract: An implantable defibrillator is a surgically implanted device capable of continuously monitoring the patient's heart rhythm and automatically delivering a cardioverting or defibrillating shock to the heart. This article describes one approach to teaching the implanted defibrillator patient. Preoperative, postoperative, and discharge teaching goals and content are discussed. A case study illustrates the need for contact with the emergency medical system.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veseth-Rogers
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000451:nursing* / Q000601:surgery; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D019736:Prostheses and Implants