The nurse is discussing microvascular complications of diabetes with a patient. What topics will the nurse include in the discussion?

Choice A reason: The statement that young people do not have to worry about heart failure, just older people, is incorrect. While heart failure is more common in older adults, it can occur at any age, particularly in individuals with underlying health conditions or risk factors.

Choice B reason: Progressive kidney failure contributes to the development and severity of heart failure. Kidney function and heart function are closely related. When the kidneys are not working properly, they can contribute to fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and additional strain on the heart, leading to heart failure.

Choice C reason: The elderly patient using cocaine as a teenager and complaining of occasional anxiety is less relevant to the immediate risk factors for developing heart failure. While past cocaine use can have long-term cardiovascular effects, occasional anxiety is not a significant contributing factor to heart failure.

Choice D reason: The patient taking 20mg of losartan every day and having a potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L is relevant to managing their heart condition but does not directly address the development of heart failure. Losartan is a medication used to manage blood pressure and heart failure, and the potassium level is within the normal range.

Choice A reason: Monitoring the patient's absolute neutrophil count (ANC) daily and stopping medication when the ANC is greater than 20,000 cells/uL is an essential aspect of using filgrastim safely. However, this is typically managed by the healthcare provider and not the primary action for the nurse to take for patient education. The nurse's role focuses more on educating the patient about potential side effects and self-care.

Choice B reason: Teaching the patient how to administer the medication via intramuscular is not relevant for filgrastim, as it is typically administered via subcutaneous injection. Proper administration technique is crucial for ensuring the medication's effectiveness, but this choice does not accurately reflect the standard administration method for filgrastim.

Choice C reason: Ensuring the patient understands the risk of bone pain and how to manage it is crucial for promoting safe and effective use of filgrastim. Bone pain is a common side effect of filgrastim due to the stimulation of bone marrow to produce more neutrophils. Educating the patient about this potential side effect and providing strategies for managing the pain, such as using over-the-counter pain relievers, helps improve patient comfort and adherence to the medication.

Choice D reason: Administering filgrastim as needed for symptoms of infection is not appropriate. Filgrastim is used to stimulate neutrophil production and prevent infection, rather than treating active infections. The medication should be administered according to the prescribed schedule, not based on the presence of infection symptoms.