The purpose of this interview is to understand the treatment of a patient with Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy from the perspective of a Registered Nurse working in the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit, CVPCU. Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy is a disease resulting from the prolonged abuse of alcohol. The symptoms of the disease may improve by abstaining from alcohol and adhering to the physician’s medical plan after the diagnosis.
Kristen Dissinger, a Registered Nurse III employed in the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit, completed a detailed interview based on her 10 years of experience in the treatment of patients diagnosed with Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy. In this interview she discussed the typical patient’s treatment from the intake process, to the patient’s release from the hospital, including challenges that arise during their treatment specifically regarding the management of withdrawal symptoms.
I began the interview
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Kristen explained, “As the patient’s condition improves education becomes an essential part along with referrals to community agencies, and ideally involving the family in the release process.” A variety of services are available depending on the patient’s needs to assist with their success after their release from the hospital. For example, if the patient has suicidal ideation or any other psychological disorders the hospital will perform a psychological evaluation and begin the patient’s treatment plan before their release. There are several educational objectives that need to be covered with the patient before his discharge in order to assist the overall management of their conditions. These include; recognizing signs and symptoms of heart failure, managing those symptoms, management of medications, smoking cessation, and abstaining from