A nurse is instructing a nursing assistant on how to assist a patient with bathing.

The patient has hemiparesis on the left side due to a stroke.

Which of the following statements by the nursing assistant demonstrates understanding of the teaching?

When assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure (HF), the most important intervention for the practical nurse (PN) to implement is to auscultate all lung fields. Left-sided heart failure is characterized by the inability of the left ventricle to effectively pump blood, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Auscultating all lung fields allows the PN to assess for the presence of abnormal lung sounds such as crackles, indicating pulmonary congestion.

Let's evaluate the other options:

a) Inspect for sacral edema.
Sacral edema is commonly associated with right-sided heart failure, not left-sided heart failure. While it is important to assess for edema in clients with heart failure, inspecting for sacral edema may not be the most immediate and crucial intervention in this specific case.

b) Measure urinary output.
Measuring urinary output is a valuable assessment in many clinical situations, but it may not be the most vital intervention in the context of left-sided heart failure. Monitoring urinary output is more relevant in assessing kidney function and fluid balance rather than directly assessing the severity of left-sided heart failure.

d) Check mental acuity.
Checking mental acuity is important in assessing the overall condition of the client, but it is not the most crucial intervention specifically related to left-sided heart failure. Mental status evaluation is more useful in identifying signs of altered mental status or potential complications, rather than directly assessing the impact of left-sided heart failure.

In summary, when assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure, the most important intervention for the practical nurse (PN) to implement is to auscultate all lung fields. This allows for the detection of abnormal lung sounds associated with pulmonary congestion, a hallmark sign of left-sided heart failure.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring ETT markings between 22 and 26 cm at the teeth line is essential to ensure proper placement of the endotracheal tube (ETT). This helps confirm that the ETT is positioned correctly in the trachea.

Choice B rationale:

Checking for capillary refill is not a reliable method for verifying the placement of an ETT. It is more indicative of peripheral circulation and not related to airway management.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining a portable chest x-ray is a crucial step to verify the exact placement of the ETT within the trachea and to rule out potential complications such as pneumothorax.

Choice D rationale:

Assessing for symmetrical chest movement is important because unequal chest rise and fall could indicate an issue with ETT placement or lung function.

Choice E rationale:

Auscultating for bilateral breath sounds is another method to confirm that the ETT is correctly positioned in the trachea and that both lungs are being ventilated adequately.