A nurse is reinforcing teaching about home safety with a client who is postpartum. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Rationale:

A. Maintain the client in high-Fowler's position: Placing the client in high-Fowler's position improves lung expansion and decreases pulmonary congestion by lowering venous return to the heart. This is a priority intervention for managing dyspnea and crackles in heart failure.

B. Increase the client's intake of oral fluids: Increasing fluid intake may worsen fluid overload in clients with heart failure. These clients typically require fluid restrictions to prevent exacerbation of symptoms like pulmonary edema.

C. Instruct the client to cough every 4 hr: While coughing can help clear secretions, the symptoms in this scenario are related to fluid overload, not mucus accumulation. Coughing alone will not relieve the pulmonary congestion seen in heart failure.

D. Encourage the client to ambulate to loosen secretions: Ambulation has benefits but is not the first action when the client is short of breath and showing signs of pulmonary congestion. Activity should be limited until respiratory status stabilizes.

Rationale:

A. The client needs strict measurement of intake and output: This task can be delegated to assistive personnel as it involves routine data collection without complex clinical judgment.

B. The client develops a postoperative fever: A postoperative fever may indicate infection or other complications requiring assessment, clinical judgment, and intervention by a registered nurse.

C. The client is experiencing a therapeutic effect from their treatment: Monitoring expected therapeutic effects is routine and can often be overseen by licensed practical nurses or assistive personnel, depending on policy.

D. The client needs routine wound care performed: Routine wound care is generally a delegated nursing task that does not require the advanced assessment or clinical decision-making of an RN unless complications arise.