A client admited with heart failure requires careful monitoring of his fluid status. Which method will provide the nurse with the best indication of the client’s fluid status?
daily electrolyte monitoring
daily weights
output measurements
daily BUN and serum creatinine monitoring
The Correct Answer is B
Fluid retention is a common complication in heart failure, and monitoring the client's fluid status is crucial to manage the condition effectively. Daily weights are an essential component of monitoring fluid status and are the most sensitive and practical method to detect changes in the client's fluid status. Weight gain is a reliable indicator of fluid retention, and even small increases in weight can indicate the need for changes in the client's treatment plan.
Although electrolyte monitoring (option a), output measurements (option c), and daily BUN and serum creatinine monitoring (option d) can provide valuable information about the client's fluid status, they are not as sensitive or practical as daily weights. Electrolyte monitoring can help detect changes in fluid balance, but it does not provide a direct indication of fluid status. Output measurements can indicate fluid loss, but they do not provide an accurate assessment of fluid retention. BUN and serum creatinine monitoring can detect changes in renal function, but they are not specific to fluid status.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a life-saving procedure that is performed when a person's heart has stopped beating. It involves chest compressions and rescue breathing to restore the circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs. The timely initiation of CPR can significantly increase the chances of a patient's survival.
In a healthcare setting, UAPs/CNAs are often trained to provide basic life support, including initiating CPR, until a healthcare provider arrives. However, giving IV epinephrine, intubating the patient, and obtaining arterial blood gases are all advanced medical procedures that require specialized training and expertise. These actions should only be performed by trained healthcare providers, such as registered nurses, physicians, or respiratory therapists, and cannot be delegated to UAPs/CNAs.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Crackles, also known as rales, are discontinuous sounds that are typically heard during inspiration in patients with heart failure. These sounds are produced by the sudden opening of small airways and alveoli that are filled with fluid or collapsed due to pulmonary congestion. The sound can be described as similar to the sound of rubbing hair between fingers or the sound of Velcro being pulled apart.
Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched sounds that are typically heard during expiration and are caused by the movement of air through narrowed airways, such as in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stridor is a high-pitched, continuous sound that is typically heard during inspiration and indicates upper airway obstruction, which can be life-threatening. Neither rhonchi nor stridor are typically heard in patients with heart failure.
Therefore, based on the patient's history and symptoms, the most likely type of breathing sound to be heard on auscultation is crackles/rales.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.