Priority patient education

G.G. is a 58-year-old white male with a 10-year history of CAD and hypertension. He had an acute MI 2 years ago. He also has a history of hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus,

and chronic renal insufficiency. His father died of sudden cardiac death at age 44, and his mother died while undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) at age 68. His hypertension is treated with hydrochlorothiazide and verapamil, and he takes metformin for control of his diabetes and atorvastatin for his high cholesterol. He is a current cigarette smoker with a 30 pack-year smoking history and drinks a beer almost daily. He is 5’10” tall, weighs 209 pounds, and does not regularly exercise. He has been married for 20 years and his wife is very supportive. He tries to watch what he eats, but he travels a lot as a computer consultant, and it is difficult to maintain a healthy, diabetic diet when he is out of town. Based on the ECG findings and the lab results, G.G. is diagnosed as having a STEMI MI. The patient is transferred to the critical care unit for treatment and monitoring. He is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min and IV nitroglycerin infusion. His vital signs are stable. His oxygen saturation is 94%, breath sounds are clear, and he denies any pain at the present time. G.G. is continually monitored for changes in vital signs and for dysrhythmias. The patient continues to recover well in the intensive care unit. After being transferred to the ICU, a plan of care is developed for G.G

Following his stay in ICU, G.G. is transferred to a stepdown care unit. The health care providers collaborate with the Case Manager for discharge planning needs for the patient. The nurses are responsible for providing patient education for G.G. and his family. Discuss the priority patient education that will assist G.G. in avoiding complications and continuing his recovery successfully posthospitalization.