What to teach to patients with heart failure and why: the role of nurses in heart failure clinics.
The most important objective of heart failure (HF) treatment is to reach and preserve patients' clinical stability. Several studies have shown that programs aimed at systematic education, developed by multidisciplinary teams, are positive strategies to work with these patients. Nurses active in HF clinics play a fundamental role in the educational process and continuity of patient care. The objectives of these processes are to teach, reinforce, improve and constantly evaluate patients' self-care abilities, which include weight monitoring, sodium and fluid restrictions, physical activities, regular medication use, monitoring signs and symptoms of disease worsening and early search for medical care. Therefore, education to understand HF and the development of self-care abilities are considered key points to improve adherence, avoid decompensation crises and, consequently, to maintain patients clinically stable. This article presents a careful review of the aspects involved in the patient education process by nurses in the context of HF clinics.
Rabelo
Eneida Rejane
ER
College of Nursing, Rio Grande do Sul Federal University. rabelo@portoweb.com.br
Aliti
Graziella Badin
GB
Domingues
Fernanda Bandeira
FB
Ruschel
Karen Brasil
KB
de Oliveira Brun
Anelise
A
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001938:Brazil; D006333:Heart Failure; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic