148: Differentiating Pulmonary Hypertension vs Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Natalie RN

Differential diagnosis is part physiology, part detective work. Especially in heart failure, where similar vital signs can mean very different things.

In this episode, Natalie RN is back on the show to break down two pediatric cases that looked almost identical on arrival to the ED but their workups led to two very different treatment plans. She shares the assessment findings, diagnostics, and clinical clues that helped them uncover what was really going on.

Learn how to connect the dots and find the right intervention when presentations look identical!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Presentation of two pediatric patients with similar symptoms
• Differential diagnosis and early clinical clues
• What to look for in your clinical assessment
• Pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension
• Pathophysiology of dilated cardiomyopathy
• Key physical exam and diagnostic differences
• Dilated cardiomyopathy interventions
• Why it’s hard to diagnose pulmonary hypertension in the ER
• Nurse priorities when managing patients in the CVICU
• Managing pulmonary hypertension crises and reducing PVR
• Pearls and pitfalls of treating these conditions

Connect with Natalie:

https://www.instagram.com/chatwithnat_rn/

Listen to Chat with Nurse Nat on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7Jh2qe44KipudVKkdXFwWH

Listen to Chat with Nurse Nat on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chat-with-nurse-nat/id1815541418

Mentioned in this episode:

AND If you are planning to sit for your CCRN and would like to take the Critical Care Academy CCRN prep course you can visit https://www.ccrnacademy.com and use coupon code RAPID10 to get 10% off the cost of the course!