Concept map

NSG 110 Case study for Concept Map #5

Mr. D.K. has been coming to the cardiac rehabilitation center since his heart attack 2 months ago. He has an implanted defibrillator due to a dysrhythmia. He is taking amiodarone (Cordarone) for to suppress ventricular irritability, a blood thinner Coumadin, nitrogen as needed for chest pain and Lexapro for depression.

He is doing well with his rehabilitation. His wife accompanies him to all of his visits to help with his home exercises. Mr. D. K. refers to his wife as the “warden”, stating “She keeps me in line but she helps me to stay healthy. We’ve been together 45 years. I couldn’t do without her.”

Mrs. D. K. tells you in confidence that her husband is worried about being able to perform sexually. She further explains that he is struggling with depression regarding his cardiac event and change in lifestyle. She tells you, “They have given him an antidepressant for the depression and it has helped him, but he still isn’t back to his normal. I miss our close times.”

When you talk to Mr. D. K. in private, he tells you “I never had any problems until this heart problem, and it got even worse when I started taking the pill for depression. I wait until my wife is asleep before I come to bed, so I don’t have to deal with it.”