Nursing Care Plan for Aortic Aneurysm

Need to determine how quickly the pain came on – sudden onset may indicate rupture.  Need to determine if the pain radiates – aneurysms tend to radiate to the back and abdomen. Severe pain may indicate worsening aneurysm or even rupture.

AAA’s can be seen and felt pulsating in the abdomen and a bruit can be heard. A detailed abdominal assessment can help to identify a AAA.

• Inspection – visible pulsation
• Auscultation – systolic bruit
• Palpation – pulsation and tenderness

Since cardiac output can be compromised, it’s important to monitor hemodynamics and vital signs to monitor for deterioration.

Since cardiac output can be compromised, peripheral perfusion may be decreased. Monitor for diminished pulses, cool, pale, clammy skin, and slow cap refill.

Aortic aneurysms are often accompanied by pain that radiate to the back. It can even be burning or tearing pain. We need to manage this with analgesics as well as encouraging the patient to be in their position of comfort. For some, this might be side-lying, while others may prefer to be on their backs.

Controlling blood pressure is a top priority with an aortic aneurysm. The goal is to decrease the pressure on the walls of the aorta while still maintaining a MAP sufficient enough to perfuse the rest of the body. Usually this means a MAP > 65 mmHg.

Larger aortic aneurysms are at high risk for rupture. This would be evidenced by sudden, severe pain that radiates to the back, flank, or groin, a hematoma on the flank (retroperitoneal bleed), and signs of shock (↓ BP, ↑ HR, ↓ pulses, slow cap refill, cool, pale, clammy skin)

Ruptured aneurysms need to go to the OR emergently for repair to prevent death from hemorrhage. Other patients may need their aneurysm repaired in the OR or in the cath lab (EVAR) to prevent complications.