A nurse is planning care for a client who has worsening heart failure and is experiencing arrhythmias. Which of the following procedures should the nurse anticipate the client will require to regulate the rhythm?

A. Weight loss:

Weight loss can occur in individuals with dementia due to various factors, including decreased appetite, difficulty eating or swallowing, and increased energy expenditure.

Monitoring weight regularly can help detect changes in nutritional status and identify potential health concerns, such as malnutrition or dehydration.

B. Decreased mobility:

Individuals with dementia may experience a decline in mobility and functional abilities as the disease progresses.

Monitoring changes in mobility, such as difficulty walking, transferring, or performing activities of daily living, is important for assessing functional decline and implementing appropriate interventions to maintain mobility and prevent complications such as falls.

C. Increased physical activity:

While dementia can lead to decreased physical activity in some individuals, others may exhibit increased restlessness or wandering behaviors.

Monitoring changes in physical activity levels can help identify agitation, restlessness, or wandering behaviors that may require intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual with dementia.

D. Unkempt appearance:

Individuals with dementia may neglect personal hygiene and grooming tasks, leading to an unkempt appearance.

Monitoring changes in appearance, such as poor personal hygiene, disheveled clothing, or neglect of grooming habits, can indicate difficulties with self-care and may necessitate assistance or supervision to maintain hygiene and appearance.

E. Constipation:

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal symptom in individuals with dementia, often due to factors such as reduced fluid intake, decreased physical activity, and side effects of medications.

Monitoring bowel habits and addressing constipation promptly can help prevent discomfort, complications such as fecal impaction, and maintain overall gastrointestinal health in individuals with dementia.

A. Synchronized electrical cardioversion: Synchronized electrical cardioversion is a procedure used to restore normal sinus rhythm in patients with certain types of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. However, it is not typically indicated for all patients with worsening heart failure and arrhythmias.

B. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT): CRT, also known as biventricular pacing, involves the placement of a specialized pacemaker device to improve the coordination of contractions between the heart's chambers. It is often used in patients with heart failure and arrhythmias to help regulate the rhythm and improve cardiac function.

C. Heart catheterization with percutaneous intervention: Heart catheterization with percutaneous intervention, such as angioplasty or stent placement, is used to treat coronary artery disease by opening narrowed or blocked blood vessels. While coronary artery disease may contribute to heart failure, this procedure specifically targets the coronary arteries rather than arrhythmias.

D. Echocardiogram : An echocardiogram is a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart's structure and function. While an echocardiogram may provide valuable information about the heart's condition in a patient with heart failure and arrhythmias, it is not a procedure used to regulate the rhythm directly.