A patient with heart failure has orthopnea, tachycardia, fatigue, and activity intolerance. How would the nurse explain the presence of these findings?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Orthopnea, tachycardia, fatigue, and activity intolerance are all common symptoms of heart failure that result from the body's attempt to maintain an adequate blood pressure and oxygen supply. The heart's inability to effectively pump blood throughout the body leads to a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in fluid volume, causing fluid to accumulate in the lungs and impairing respiratory function. The sympathetic nervous system also becomes activated, resulting in an increase in heart rate and constriction of blood vessels in an attempt to maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs. However, this compensation ultimately leads to increased workload on the heart and further exacerbation of heart failure symptoms.

A Patient with Heart Failure Has Orthopnea, Tachycardia, Fatigue, and Activity