What are some of the most common disorders of the heart wall that you have encountered in your nursing practice, and how have you integrated your knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology to develop targeted interventions that address the various aspects of care for patients with these conditions?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Common Disorders of the Heart Wall: Nursing Practice and Targeted Interventions
Introduction
As a registered nurse, encountering patients with disorders of the heart wall is a routine part of clinical practice. These conditions, which can significantly impact cardiac function and overall health, necessitate a deep understanding of their underlying pathophysiology. This essay discusses some of the most common heart wall disorders, including cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction (MI), and pericarditis, and explores how knowledge of their pathophysiological mechanisms informs targeted nursing interventions that enhance patient care.
Common Disorders of the Heart Wall
1. Cardiomyopathy
Overview: Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle that impair its ability to pump blood effectively. The three main types are dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Each type has distinct characteristics but shares common symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, and edema.
Pathophysiology: In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart chambers enlarge and weaken, reducing contractility. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involves thickening of the heart muscle, which can obstruct blood flow. Restrictive cardiomyopathy leads to stiffness in the heart wall, preventing proper filling during diastole.
Nursing Interventions:
– Patient Education: Educating patients about the importance of adhering to medication regimens, including ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, can help manage symptoms and improve heart function.
– Monitoring Symptoms: Regularly assessing for signs of worsening heart failure, such as increased dyspnea or edema, allows for early intervention.
– Promoting Lifestyle Changes: Encouraging a heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity tailored to the patient’s abilities can improve outcomes.
2. Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Overview: A myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, resulting in tissue damage. This condition is often caused by coronary artery disease due to plaque buildup.
Pathophysiology: The obstruction of blood flow leads to ischemia and subsequent necrosis of myocardial tissue. The extent of damage can vary based on the duration of ischemia and collateral circulation.
Nursing Interventions:
– Rapid Assessment and Intervention: Upon presentation of chest pain, using tools like the ECG and biomarkers (e.g., troponin levels) helps confirm MI quickly. Initiating treatment protocols such as administering aspirin and nitroglycerin is crucial.
– Patient Education on Risk Factors: Providing information on managing modifiable risk factors (e.g., smoking cessation, controlling hypertension) empowers patients to reduce the risk of future events.
– Supportive Care: Offering emotional support and resources such as cardiac rehabilitation programs can aid in recovery and promote lifestyle changes.
3. Pericarditis
Overview: Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. It may be acute or chronic and can result from infections, autoimmune diseases, or post-MI complications.
Pathophysiology: Inflammation leads to increased pericardial fluid production or fibrosis, which can restrict heart movement and affect function. Symptoms typically include sharp chest pain that may worsen with deep breaths or lying down.
Nursing Interventions:
– Pain Management: Administering NSAIDs or corticosteroids as prescribed can alleviate pain associated with inflammation.
– Patient Monitoring: Regularly assessing vital signs and signs of fluid overload (e.g., jugular venous distension) is essential to prevent complications like cardiac tamponade.
– Education on Activity Restrictions: Advising patients to limit physical activity during acute phases helps reduce strain on the heart and promotes healing.
Conclusion
In nursing practice, understanding the pathophysiology behind common heart wall disorders such as cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and pericarditis is vital for implementing effective care strategies. By integrating this knowledge into targeted interventions—ranging from patient education and symptom monitoring to lifestyle modifications—nurses can significantly enhance patient outcomes. Ultimately, a holistic approach that combines clinical expertise with compassionate care is essential for supporting patients with these complex cardiac conditions.
