NCP - 6 Nursing Diagnosis for Pericarditis

Nursing Care Plan for Pericarditis

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the outermost layer of the heart (the thin membrane that surrounds the heart) (H. Winter Griffith, MD, 1994).

Pericarditis is divided into three, namely acute pericarditis, chronic pericarditis, and chronic constrictive pericarditis. Acute Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium (sac lining of the heart) that begins suddenly and often cause pain. Inflammation can cause fluid and produce blood (fibrin, red blood cells and white blood cells) that will meet the pericardium cavity. Chronic Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium (heart sac) which leads to accumulation of fluid or thickening and usually occurs gradually and lasts longer. Chronic constrictive pericarditis is a disease that occurs because there is thickening of the pericardium due to inflammation that occurs before that area of the room the heart is reduced. As a result, decreased cardiac output and reduced filling pressures. Acute pericarditis occurs less than 6 weeks, whereas the subacute and chronic pericarditis pericarditis more than six months.

Acute pericarditis can be caused by a viral infection or bacterial infection. Based on a study of children of the 1960s, the most common viral pathogen is Coxsackie, but recent data suggest that in adults is most often affected are cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, and HIV. The most common bacteria that can cause disease pericarditis that Pneumococcus bacteria and Tuberculosis. In addition, other causes of acute pericarditis is as follows:

• Idiopathic (urticaria);
• trauma;
• post-myocardial infarction syndrome;
• uremia (conditions associated with the buildup of urea in the blood because the kidneys are not working effectively);
• postpericardiotomy syndrome;
• neoplasms.

In general, the cause of chronic pericarditis is unknown, but may be caused by cancer, tuberculosis or decreased thyroid function. In addition, other causes of chronic pericarditis is as follows:

• previous cardiac surgery;
• chest radiation;
• extensive post-infarction;
• sarcoidosis (Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin and other tissues);
• chest trauma;
• acute viral infection (Adenovirus and Coxsackie viruses) or chronic (Tuberculosis).

6 Nursing Diagnosis for Pericarditis

1. Risk for Decreased cardiac output related to a decrease in left ventricular contractility as a secondary effect of a decrease in the ability of cardiac dilatation, decreased stroke volume.
2. Acute Pain: Chest related to an imbalance between demand and supply of oxygen to the myocardium.
3. Impaired gas exchange related to pulmonary congestion secondary alveolar capillary membrane changes.
4. Risk for ineffective breathing pattern related to lung development is not optimal.
5. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to decreased intake, nausea and anorexia.
6. Activity intolerance related to fatigue and physical weakness.