PubMed1984
The development of four new antiarrhythmic drugs offers promise for the treatment of patients who survive an episode of sudden cardiac death. Medical treatment, however, remains somewhat empirical, reflecting continued lack of total understanding of arrhythmogenesis and the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs required for suppression and control of arrhythmias. Further, although the value of such treatment cannot be underestimated, a healthy respect for the potential risk of arrhythmia aggravation by all of these drugs is warranted. The management of these patients presents a tremendous challenge for both physicians and nurses: physicians are responsible primarily for the definition of type, location, and severity of the arrhythmia; nurses focus primarily on the patient's response to illness and treatment in terms of its potential impact on their lifestyle. The clear focus for each discipline is necessary for development of a more purposeful and comprehensive treatment plan for the patient. As survival of sudden cardiac death increases, a number of patient responses, emotional and physical, have been noted clinically. The concept of nursing diagnosis can serve as a frame of reference from which nurses can begin to more scientifically evaluate their impact on patient care. Most importantly, it will contribute to an improvement in the care of patients whose lives have been so disrupted by the unpredictable nature of the arrhythmia and the investigational nature of treatment.
Adaptation, Psychological↗