A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has heart failure and a decreased cardiac output. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
Restrict daily exercise
Encourage 3 large meals per day.
Limit dietary salt intake
Obtain weight once per week.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Restrict daily exercise: Clients with heart failure benefit from regular, moderate activity as tolerated to improve cardiac efficiency and prevent deconditioning. Restricting all exercise can worsen functional status and is not recommended unless specifically limited by the healthcare provider.
B. Encourage 3 large meals per day: Large meals can increase cardiac workload and exacerbate heart failure symptoms due to increased blood flow demands during digestion. Smaller, more frequent meals are preferable to reduce strain on the heart.
C. Limit dietary salt intake: Reducing sodium intake helps prevent fluid retention and edema, which can exacerbate heart failure and increase cardiac workload. Teaching clients to limit salt is a key intervention to manage decreased cardiac output and maintain stable fluid balance.
D. Obtain weight once per week: Daily weight monitoring is recommended for clients with heart failure to detect fluid retention early. Weekly weights may delay recognition of sudden fluid accumulation, increasing the risk of decompensation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","F","G","H"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Hemoglobin and hematocrit: The client’s hemoglobin (9.1 g/dL) and hematocrit (27%) are significantly below normal, indicating anemia, likely from gastrointestinal bleeding. This finding requires immediate follow-up to prevent further hemodynamic compromise and assess for ongoing blood loss.
B. Stool results: The client reports dark, tarry stool, which is indicative of melena and gastrointestinal bleeding. Positive hemoccult (if confirmed) further supports active bleeding. Prompt evaluation is necessary to identify the source and prevent severe anemia or shock.
C. Temperature: The client’s temperature is 37.5°C (99.5°F), which is mildly elevated but not critically high. It does not indicate an immediate life-threatening condition, though it should be monitored as part of ongoing assessment for infection.
D. WBC count: The WBC is 6,700/mm³, which is within normal limits. There is no indication of acute infection requiring immediate intervention at this time.
E. Respiratory rate: The respiratory rate of 18/min is within normal limits and does not require immediate follow-up.
F. Heart rate: The client’s heart rate is 118/min, which is tachycardic and may indicate hypovolemia from blood loss. Immediate monitoring and intervention are warranted to prevent cardiovascular compromise.
G. Blood pressure: The client’s blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, which is hypotensive. This may result from fluid loss due to bleeding and requires urgent assessment and stabilization to prevent shock.
H. Current medications: The client is taking high-dose ibuprofen (800 mg three times daily), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcer formation. This directly relates to the client’s presenting symptoms and requires immediate review and discontinuation.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Oliguria: Clients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) often experience oliguria or significantly reduced urine output due to severe loss of nephron function. This contributes to fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances, and accumulation of waste products in the body.
B. Hypotension: ESKD more commonly leads to hypertension rather than hypotension because of fluid overload and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Hypotension may occur only during dialysis or with certain medications but is not an expected finding in untreated ESKD.
C. Edema: Fluid retention caused by decreased glomerular filtration and impaired renal excretion leads to peripheral and sometimes generalized edema. Edema is a classic sign of ESKD and indicates compromised fluid balance.
D. Anemia: Impaired kidney function reduces erythropoietin production, leading to decreased red blood cell synthesis and resultant anemia. Clients often require erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or supplemental iron to manage this complication.
E. Bradypnea: Respiratory rate is not typically decreased in ESKD. If present, bradypnea would suggest a separate neurologic or respiratory issue rather than a direct effect of kidney failure. Clients may develop Kussmaul respirations if metabolic acidosis is severe, but bradypnea is not expected.
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