Level 2Common Visit Types

Heart Failure Visit Intake

Intake for a heart-failure visit — accurate weight, vitals, and symptom changes that matter.

Beginner~10 min

Learning Objectives

1.Collect the weight and symptom data HF visits depend on.
2.Recognize concerning changes to flag.
3.Support consistent HF monitoring at intake.

Goal

For heart-failure visits, an accurate weight and a few symptom questions are gold — they tell the provider whether the patient is holding fluid.

What to collect

•Accurate weight (note the trend vs. last visit / their reported home weights).
•BP, HR, O2 sat.
•Breathing: short of breath, worse lying flat, waking at night?
•Swelling in legs/abdomen; medication adherence (diuretics).

Step-by-step

1.Confirm identity; weigh accurately (same conditions each visit).
2.Take vitals; ask the HF symptom questions.
3.Note diuretic adherence; flag concerning changes; document.

Red flags to report immediately

•Significant weight gain with worse breathing, severe shortness of breath, or chest pain.

Alert now

Notable weight gain plus worsening breathing → tell the nurse/provider; severe dyspnea/chest pain is an emergency.

What NOT to do independently

•Don’t adjust the diuretic or interpret status — collect and report.

Scope note

Accurate weight and symptoms in; medication decisions are the provider’s.

Documentation tips

•Record weight and trend, vitals, symptom changes, and adherence.

Checklist

Accurate weight with trend noted.
Vitals and HF symptom check.
Diuretic adherence noted.
Flagged concerning changes.

Knowledge Check Quiz

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not replace clinical judgment, and is not a substitute for institutional protocols or certified medical interpreters. No patient health information (PHI) should be entered into this application.