Nursing Contributions to Comprehensive Care for Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive clinical syndrome associated with high morbidity and mortality, frequent hospitalizations, and significant costs to healthcare systems. HF decompensation is characterized by acute or subacute worsening of signs and symptoms, such as dyspnea, edema, and fatigue, often related to potentially preventable precipitating factors, including poor therapeutic adherence, infections, and decompensation of comorbidities. In this scenario, nursing plays a central role in the care of patients with decompensated HF, acting in systematic clinical assessment, implementation of the Nursing Process, rigorous monitoring, prevention of adverse events, and health education focused on self-care and safe transition to home. National evidence points to significant in-hospital mortality and suboptimal performance of quality indicators in the care and discharge of patients with acute/decompensated HF, reinforcing the need for standardized care practices and structured discharge planning. Nurse-led interventions, especially health education programs and care transition strategies, demonstrate benefits in reducing readmissions and mortality, indicating the importance of evidence-based practice, the use of protocols, and follow-up after discharge. Thus, this work analyzes, based on the scientific literature, the main nursing care practices directed at patients with decompensated heart failure, with emphasis on diagnoses, interventions during hospitalization, and educational actions for the prevention of complications and readmissions.