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Pulmonary Edema - Coggle Diagram
Pulmonary Edema
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Intervention
Elevate edematous extremities, and handle with care. Elevation increases venous return to the heart and, in turn, decreases edema. Edematous skin is more susceptible to injury.
Place the patient in a semi-Fowler’s or high-Fowler’s position.
Raising the head of bed provides comfort in breathing.
Assess for crackles in the lungs, changes in respiratory pattern, shortness of breath, and orthopnea.
These signs are caused by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
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Patient Education
Educate patient and family members the importance of proper nutrition, hydration, and diet modification.
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Educate patient, and family to minimize the use of sodium.
Educate the patient on weight management, and exercise.
Medications
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Morphine (MS Contin, Oramorph)
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Pathophysiology
Pulmonary edema is a disorder that occurs when there is too much fluid in the lungs. This fluid gathers in the lungs' many air sacs, making breathing harder.
Pulmonary edema is usually caused by cardiac issues. However, pneumonia, exposure to certain poisons and drugs, injuries to the chest wall, and going to or exercising at high elevations can all cause fluid to develop in the lungs.