A male has just been diagnosed with early heart failure and his health care provider has prescribed hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin, and lisinopril. His blood pressure is slightly elevated, his blood cholesterol is marginally high, and he has stenosis of the mitral valve that seems to be worsening. Although the patient is not an athletic person, he likes to take long walks after dinner. He confides that at his age of 60 he has no intention of taking any of the medications, but intends to try Chinese herbal therapy.
a. The nurse is developing a teaching plan for this patient. The nurse wants to explain the rationale for each of the medications. What information will the nurse include in the teaching plan?
b. How does the nurse assess the patient’s need for alternative therapy, and what is the best response to his concern about prescription drugs?
c. Knowing that health promotion is an essential nursing action, what lifestyle changes would the nurse suggest to this patient to improve his cardiac health?
