Kaytlyn Stephens

Brooke Bond
Jen Vogal
Bailey Thatcher
Patient education assignment
1. To assess our patient knowledge of his diagnosis and his medication, the best thing to do is ask
question.
i. Do you know why you are on these medications?
1. I dont know why I am on these medications; the doctors just put me on
them and didnt really explain what they were of what they were for.
ii. Did you know you were diagnosed with Diabetes, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, obesity and obstructive sleep apnea?
1. Yes I do know that I was diagnosed with all those different diseases. My
Diabetes, High blood pressure , high cholesterol and obesity, these all
contributed to my heart attack.
iii. Do you know what these diagnosis are?
1. The Patient understands his diabetes, he verbalizes how to check his
blood sugar, how to protect his feet, but he admits he doesnt exercise
and doesnt follow his diet plan
2. The patient doesnt understand his hypertension very well
3. The patient understands what high cholesterol is but admits he doesnt
eat healthy or exercise
4. The patient knows he is obese
5. The patient is not really sure what obstructive sleep apnea. His doctor
never really explained it
iv. What is the best way you learn?
1. The way I learn the best is though discussion with a lot of people. I also
have a lot of questions so if I get answers that helps me a lot.
v. Do you understand why you are in the hospital?
1. Yes, I had pain in my chest and I felt like I couldnt catch my breath
vi. Do you understand why the doctors had to place stents in your heart?
1. Yes, my heart wasnt getting blood so I had to get a stent so I didnt
have another heart attack. The stents reopened the arteries and
allowed blood to get to the area of injury which decreased the size of
the tissue death.
vii. What is your career?
1. I was an engineering, I graduated for the University Of Utah a while back
with a Masters In Engineering. (This question establishes that the
patient can read, and write. He is educated and he is able to understand
directions)
2. Goals
a. The patient will understand his new diagnosis and his medications.
b. The patient will be able to understand what a heart attack is, the signs and symptoms of
a heart attack and how to treat it.
c. The patient will understand what lifestyle changes are necessary to help him lose weight
and live a healthier life. You can live a healthier life by exercising, eating your fruits and
veggies, eating less sweets and drinking plenty of water.
3. Education outline for our patient
a. You have experienced a myocardial infarction otherwise known as a heart attack, which
is the death of a segment of the heart muscle, caused by a blood clot in the coronary
artery interrupting blood supply. Coronary arteries supply blood and oxygen to your
heart. LAD (left anterior descending) is where 2 stents were placed to help your heart
get oxygen.
b. Teaching Meds:
i. Toprol- This drug is an antihypertensive drug to help with your high blood
pressure, but more specifically will help with your chest pain due to your recent
heart attack and will help to prevent future heart attacks. 50 mg by mouth every
day. It prevents your sympathetic nervous system my blocking the beta
receptors to decrease your heart rate.
ii. Lisinopril- Lisinopril is an ACE Inhibitor which means that it dilates your blood
vessels to lower your blood pressure. Remember to take this medication every
day at the same time, even if you are feeling well. It is best to avoid foods
containing high levels of potassium unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
5mg by mouth once a day in the morning with a full glass of water. The action is
by reducing the production of angiotensin II, thereby relaxing arterial muscle
and enlarging arteries.
iii. Zocor- Zocor is your cholesterol lowering medication. This medication helps to
control your cholesterol, not cure high cholesterol, so patient should watch
what you eat to help in lowering your cholesterol. Best not to drink more than 1
quart of grapefruit juice a day when taking Zocor. Common side effects are
dizziness, headache, weakness and erectile dysfunction. 20mg by mouth every
at bedtime or with an evening meal. It decreased the production of cholesterol
made in the liver.
iv. Glyburide- Because you are a diabetic, you are on glyburide to help control your
blood sugar. Controlling your diet and getting exercise is still the best way to
help with your type of diabetes, however. Keep in mind the signs and
symptoms of hypo and hyperglycemia. With hypoglycemia you may experience
shakiness, nervousness, sweatiness, confusion or sleepiness. With
hyperglycemia you may experience thirst and an urge for frequent urination. If
hypoglycemia occurs, drinking a glass of orange juice or ingesting 2-3 tsp. of
sugar or honey will help. Then notify a doctor. 5 mg daily with breakfast or the
first meal of the day.
v. Prilosec- Prilosec is a medication that helps to eliminate acid in the stomach. If
you experience stomach pain, chest pain, diarrhea or bloody or black stools you
should call your doctor. You should avoid alcohol and NSAIDS while you are on
this medication to prevent stomach problems and dont drive until you know
how this drug will affect you as it may cause drowsiness. 20 mg daily in the
morning. Do not crush, chew, or break an enteric-coated tablet. Swallow the pill
whole. It decreased the acidity of your stomach acid.
vi. Glucophage- your doctor has also added this medication to assist with your
diabetes. You should know there is a high risk of lactic acidosis if your creatinine
is too high and is very rare, so you should watch for deep and rapid breathing,
vomiting and abdominal pain, dehydration and diarrhea and discontinue taking
metformin in this happens a call your doctor. 5 mg daily. Check your blood sugar
often. Glucophage lowers both basal and postprandial plasma glucose, so it
decreased the glucose in the body.
c. Lifestyle Recommendations:
Avoid activity that produces chest pain, extreme dyspnea, or undue fatigue
Avoid extremes of heat and cold
Lose weight, if indicated
Stop smoking and use of tobacco; avoid secondhand smoke
Develop heart-healthy eating patterns, avoid large meals, and hurrying while
eating
Adhere to medical regimen, especially in taking medications
Follow recommendations that ensure blood pressure and blood glucose are in
control
Pursue activities that relieve and reduce stress
Walk daily, increasing distance and time as prescribed
Avoid physical activity after a meal
Alternate activity with rest periods

d. Skills Necessary for Self-Care:
Keep follow up appointments
Adhere to the prescribed cardiac rehabilitation regimen such as ECGs,
and general health screening
Follow MAWDS teaching:
1. Take your medications
2. Stay active each day
3. Weigh yourself everyday
4. Follow your diet
5. Recognize your symptoms
e. When to call your health care
are not feeling well
weight is up 2 or more pounds in one day or up to 5 pounds over your
target weight
-noticeable swelling or bloating
-some difficulty breathing with activity and at night
-symptoms are worsening
i. Call healthcare provider or go directly to the emergency room if:
breathlessness or chest heaviness at rest in nitro doesnt help
weight is up more than 5 pounds in one day
fainting
symptoms are severe
ii. When exercising call if you experience
pressure or pain in chest, neck, arm, jaw or shoulder
dizziness or lightheadedness
nausea
unusual SOB
unusual tiredness
fast or slow heartbeat
irregular heartbeat

f. Teaching
i. Group discussion with question and answer so we can involve the family and
answer any questions that they may have. We will also ask them questions to
assess how much they already know to see what needs to be taught more. We
will teach them the importance of taking their medications so that they will be
more likely to continue to take them. Also if he had any questions about his
disease we can show him a short simple video that shows what is going on in
the body. Talk to the family about CPR training in case of emergency.
g. Assessment of patients learning
i. To assess the patients understanding we will have them verbalize when they
should call their doctor or go the ER based on symptoms. We will also have
them verbalize when to take their medications and signs and symptoms to look
out for. We may have them also demonstrate how to take their medications,
check their blood sugar, and heart rate. Verbalize understanding of diet
restrictions and importance of daily weight.