Sample interview questions: How do you assess and manage potential complications related to patients with heart valve replacements?
Sample answer:
Assessment of Potential Complications
- Hemodynamic compromise: Monitor vital signs, arterial blood gases, and cardiac output for signs of hypotension, hypoxemia, or impaired cardiac function.
- Bleeding: Inspect incision site, dressings, and drainage tubes for excessive bleeding. Assess for hemodynamic instability or signs of hypovolemia.
- Infection: Monitor for fever, chills, leukocytosis, and tenderness or redness around the incision site.
- Thromboembolism: Assess for signs of pulmonary embolism (dyspnea, chest pain, pleuritic pain) and deep vein thrombosis (edema, pain, warmth).
- Paravalvular leak: Listen to heart sounds for murmurs that may indicate a leak around the prosthetic valve.
- Valve stenosis or regurgitation: Monitor for symptoms of heart failure, such as dyspnea, fatigue, and edema. Auscultate heart sounds for evidence of abnormal valve function.
- Endocarditis: Assess for signs of infection involving the prosthetic valve, including fever, chills, anemia, and leukocytosis.
Management of Potential Complications
- Hemodynamic compromise: Administer fluids, vasopressors, or inotropes as needed to maintain blood pressure and cardiac output. Consider urgent surgical intervention if necessary.
- Bleeding: Control bleeding at the incision site and drain exc… Read full answer
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