Nurse's Pocket Guide

decreased Cardiac Output
Taxonomy II: Activity/Rest—Class 4 Cardiovascular/
Pulmonary Responses (00029)
[Diagnostic Division: Circulation]
Submitted 1975; Revised 1996, 2000
Definition: Inadequate blood pumped by the heart to
meet the metabolic demands of the body. [Note: In a
hypermetabolic state, although cardiac output may be
within normal range, it may still be inadequate to meet
the needs of the body’s tissues. Cardiac output and tissue
perfusion are interrelated, although there are differences.
When cardiac output is decreased, tissue perfusion
problems will develop; however, tissue perfusion
problems can exist without decreased cardiac output.]
Related Factors
Altered heart rate/rhythm; [conduction]
Altered stroke volume: altered preload [e.g., decreased venous
return]; altered afterload [e.g., systemic vascular resistance];
altered contractility [e.g., ventricular-septal rupture, ventricular
aneurysm, papillary muscle rupture, valvular disease]
Defining Characteristics
SUBJECTIVE
Altered Heart Rate/Rhythm: Palpitations
Altered Preload: Fatigue
Altered Afterload: [Feeling breathless]
Altered Contractility: Orthopnea/paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
[PND]
Behavioral/Emotional: Anxiety
OBJECTIVE
Altered Heart Rate/Rhythm: [Dys]arrhythmias; tachycardia;
bradycardia; EKG [ECG] changes
Altered Preload: Jugular vein distention (JVD); edema; weight
gain; increased/decreased central venous pressure (CVP);
increased/decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure
(PAWP); murmurs
Altered Afterload: Dyspnea; clammy skin; skin [and mucous
membrane] color changes [cyanosis, pallor]; prolonged capillary
refill; decreased peripheral pulses; variations in blood
pressure readings; increased/decreased systemic vascular
Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance
the use of nursing diagnoses.
Diagnostic Studies Pediatric/Geriatric/Lifespan Medications 145
decreased CARDIAC OUTPUT