A patient newly diagnosed with left-sided heart failure is admitted to the hospital. The nurse will observe this patient closely for:

Choice A reason: This is not the cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Collapse of the cartilaginous rings in the bronchi is a feature of tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the airways are weak and floppy.

Choice B reason: This is not the cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Type II alveolar cell injury and decreased surfactant are associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition in which the alveoli are damaged and filled with fluid.

Choice C reason: This is not the cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Alveolar changes and pulmonary congestion are seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition in which the alveoli are enlarged and lose their elasticity.

Choice D reason: This is the correct cause of airway obstruction in asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by mucus secretion, bronchoconstriction, and airway edema. These factors reduce the diameter of the airways and increase the resistance to airflow.

Choice A reason: This is the correct instruction by the nurse. Nausea and vomiting are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can be life-threatening. The patient should report these symptoms to their health care provider as soon as possible and have their digoxin level checked.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Auditory hallucinations are not common adverse effects of digoxin. They are more likely to occur with other drugs, such as antipsychotics or opioids.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Decreasing the amount of high-potassium foods can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity, as potassium competes with digoxin for binding sites on the cardiac cells. The patient should maintain a normal potassium intake and avoid sudden changes in their diet.

Choice D reason: This is not a correct instruction by the nurse. Omitting the dose of digoxin if the pulse is 70 can lead to underdosing and ineffective treatment of heart failure. The patient should only omit the dose of digoxin if their pulse is below 60, as this indicates bradycardia, which is another sign of digoxin toxicity.