Is taking diuretics equals having CHF?

This question has been bothering me for a while, I noticed that is assumed that the patients who takes HCTZ or lasik suffers from CHF? Did you run into assumptions like that? Should there be any othe symptoms beside taking diuretics like swelling of the extremities, sob,fatigue.
Lasix (lasik is a type of corrective eye surgery) and other diuretics are prescribed for conditions other than CHF, including high blood pressure, liver disease and kidney disease. Taking Lasix on its own is not sufficient evidence for assuming someone has CHF.

Quote from BlackheartednurseThis question has been bothering me for a while, I noticed that is assumed that the patients who takes HCTZ or lasik suffers from CHF? Did you run into assumptions like that? Should there be any othe symptoms beside taking diuretics like swelling of the extremities, sob,fatigue.

CHF is one of the core measures, requires discharge education and in one hospital that I know of staff have been told to look at diuretic use as a possible indicator, so that may be where that comes from.

Quote from sunnycalifRNSorry, I take Hctz in combination with valsartan for hypertension . . . no CHF here. I've never heard of such assumptions.

Quote from BlackheartednurseBut what about if patient is SOB on exertion (could also be age related ) and has an edema, but no chest pains.I mean does edema plus lasix, or any diuretics equals chf.I have heard many such assumptions from co-workers, instructors,bossess and finally medicare reimburst patients diagnoses based on medication

I have never met a nurse who makes that assumption. Diuretic therapy is appropriate for many, many clinical conditions. Also note that diuretic therapy is not a sign of illness or injury as pain, SOB, or edema are; it has been prescribed by a care provider with a specific diagnosis in mind. There are other diagnostics used for CHF like echocardiography to determine CO and EF and serum BNP lab values.

I have had dependent edema for many years, without HTN or CAD, and was on a diuretic long before either of those roared into action.

Co-workers, instructors, bosses and patients do NOT diagnoses if a person has CHF. That is done by doctors or nurse practioners based on their assessment of the patient, they will then prescribe medications needed bases on that diagnosis. Not the other way around. If the patient you are looking after has CHF it should be written in the chart.

I believe the OP works in home health and probably does not have ready access to an MD's H&P, echo and lab results.My dear old dad has heart failure with an EF of 40% and is not on any diuretic. He is however on lisinopril, Coreg and ASA. Any patient who is on these 3 meds would make me much more suspicious of CHF than just a diuretic.

May I add: Those other symptoms the OP mentioned could be from a number of things. Perhaps the leg edema is from poor venous return, and the SOB from COPD, asthma, some other type of heart or lung condition, or volume overload from another etiology.

Quote from BlackheartednurseBut what about if patient is SOB on exertion (could also be age related ) and has an edema, but no chest pains.I mean does edema plus lasix, or any diuretics equals chf.I have heard many such assumptions from co-workers, instructors,bossess and finally medicare reimburst patients diagnoses based on medication

SOB on exertion is a sign/symptom of pathology (of what pathology depends on the whole clinical picture). "Age" isn't a disease that creates pathology. I know I'm not answering your question, but I'm just responding to your comment that SOB "could be age related". Don't go down that road. They may live with it chronically, but it's a symptom of disease (for which they are probably being treated, and which MAY have to do with the meds you mentioned, but you can't know that unless you know the patient's diagnosis).