Nursing care process for patients with acute myocardial infarction: a case study

Abstract

Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide due to non-communicable disease risk factors such as sedentary lifestyle, smoking, poor stress management, dietary habits and others; these modifiable factors could slow the progression of the disease. Objective: To design and evaluate a nursing care process for a patient with acute myocardial infarction admitted to a hospital in Chihuahua, Mexico, in order to provide timely and efficient care in addition to high quality care, during his hospital stay to improve his future quality of life. Methodology: Case study of a 37-year-old male with acute myocardial infarction and a history of hereditary hypercholesterolemia. Care was planned by nursing assessment with a focus on functional health patterns, using nursing taxonomies to develop diagnostic labels, expected outcomes and nursing interventions. Prior informed consent was obtained, and anonymity was maintained. Results: The diagnostic labels, that is, acute pain, decreased cardiac output and risk of decreased cardiac tissue perfusion provided the following outcomes: pain, adverse psychological response, cardiac pump effectiveness and cardiac tissue perfusion. The main interventions that gave effective results in meeting patient needs were acute pain management, arrhythmia management and thrombolytic therapy. Conclusions: The creation of care plans based on the use of evidence-based taxonomies that allow critical thinking about the needs and physiological responses of the patient with this pathology is essential.