A client with heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath and swelling in the lower extremities. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?
Administer diuretic medication as prescribed.
Elevate the client’s legs to reduce swelling.
Assess the client’s respiratory status and oxygen saturation.
Restrict fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Administering diuretic medication as prescribed is an important intervention for managing fluid overload in heart failure. Diuretics help reduce fluid accumulation by increasing urine output, which can alleviate symptoms such as swelling and shortness of breath. However, before administering any medication, it is crucial to assess the client’s current respiratory status and oxygen saturation to determine the severity of their condition and ensure that the intervention is appropriate and safe.
Choice B rationale
Elevating the client’s legs can help reduce swelling in the lower extremities by promoting venous return and decreasing fluid accumulation. While this intervention can provide some relief, it does not address the immediate concern of the client’s respiratory status. Assessing the client’s respiratory status and oxygen saturation is a priority to ensure that they are receiving adequate oxygenation and to identify any potential respiratory distress that may require urgent intervention.
Choice C rationale
Assessing the client’s respiratory status and oxygen saturation is the first priority in this scenario. Heart failure can lead to pulmonary congestion and impaired gas exchange, resulting in shortness of breath and decreased oxygen levels. By assessing the client’s respiratory status and oxygen saturation, the nurse can determine the severity of the client’s condition, identify any immediate respiratory needs, and implement appropriate interventions to improve oxygenation and respiratory function.
Choice D rationale
Restricting fluid intake is a common intervention for managing fluid overload in heart failure. By limiting fluid intake, the nurse can help prevent further fluid accumulation and reduce the risk of worsening symptoms. However, this intervention does not address the immediate concern of the client’s respiratory status. Assessing the client’s respiratory status and oxygen saturation is a priority to ensure that they are receiving adequate oxygenation and to identify any potential respiratory distress that may require urgent intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The absence of burning epigastric pain after eating indicates that the treatment for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) secondary to H. pylori has been effective. This suggests that the ulcer has healed and the inflammation has subsided.
Choice B rationale
Coffee-ground emesis indicates the presence of blood in the vomit, which suggests ongoing bleeding and is not a sign of effective treatment for PUD.
Choice C rationale
A decrease in alcohol intake is beneficial for overall health but does not directly indicate the effectiveness of treatment for PUD secondary to H. pylori.
Choice D rationale
Normalization of hemoglobin levels is important but does not specifically indicate the effectiveness of treatment for PUD secondary to H. pylori. The primary indicator would be the resolution of symptoms such as burning epigastric pain.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hypercalcemia is characterized by increased calcium levels in the blood, often due to increased absorption of calcium from the gut. However, in chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidneys’ ability to activate vitamin D is impaired, leading to decreased calcium absorption from the gut, not increased. Therefore, hypercalcemia is not a typical sign of CKD1.
Choice B rationale
A positive Chvostek’s sign is indicative of hypocalcemia, which is a common symptom in CKD. The kidneys’ reduced ability to activate vitamin D leads to decreased calcium absorption from the gut, resulting in low calcium levels in the blood. This hypocalcemia can cause neuromuscular irritability, leading to a positive Chvostek’s sign.
Choice C rationale
Tetany is a condition characterized by muscle cramps and spasms, often due to hypocalcemia. In CKD, hypocalcemia occurs due to the kidneys’ inability to activate vitamin D, leading to decreased calcium absorption from the gut. This hypocalcemia can cause hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles, resulting in tetany.
Choice D rationale
Hyperphosphatemia is characterized by high phosphate levels in the blood. In CKD, the kidneys’ ability to excrete phosphate is impaired, leading to its accumulation in the blood. However, this is not directly related to the inability to absorb phosphate from the gut but rather the kidneys’ reduced excretion capacity.
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