The nurse is performing an admission assessment of an older adult client with a history of chronic heart failure. The client exhibits +2 pitting edema of the ankles and bibasilar crackles. Based on these findings what action should the nurse take next?
weigh the client to obtain a baseline for comparison
Insert an indwelling catheter
Draw blood for chemistry studies and a CBC
Administer furosemide 40mg PO
The Correct Answer is A
A. Weighing the client provides an important baseline for monitoring fluid retention and determining the effectiveness of treatments such as diuretics. Rapid changes in weight can indicate worsening heart failure and fluid accumulation.
B. Inserting an indwelling catheter is not indicated unless there are concerns about urinary retention or output, which are not the priority here.
C. Drawing blood for chemistry studies and a CBC is important but it does not directly address the immediate concern of fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
D. Administering furosemide may be necessary depending on the client's condition, but first establishing a baseline weight is important before making further treatment decisions.
Nursing Test Bank
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A value of 119 seconds would indicate a therapeutic or even elevated level of heparin, as it is much higher than the normal aPTT range.
B. A value of 98 seconds is still above the normal aPTT range, suggesting that the heparin level is therapeutic, or even too high, but not sub-therapeutic.
C. This is just slightly above the normal range and might be considered a therapeutic range for someone
on heparin, but it’s not sub-therapeutic.
D. This aPTT value is above the normal range but likely not high enough to indicate therapeutic heparin levels, which should typically be between 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal aPTT. A sub-therapeutic level could be indicated with a lower value.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Increased risk for cardiac dysrhythmias: While hyponatremia can sometimes contribute to cardiac dysrhythmias, it's not the primary concern in this case. The main issue is fluid overload.
B. Hyponatremia, or low sodium levels, is often associated with heart failure. In this condition, the heart's reduced pumping ability leads to fluid retention, which dilutes the sodium concentration in the blood.
C. Imbalance in the sodium-potassium pump: While this can contribute to electrolyte imbalances, it's not the direct cause of hyponatremia in heart failure.
D. Acute renal failure: While heart failure can lead to acute kidney injury, hyponatremia is primarily a result of fluid overload rather than kidney dysfunction.
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