The nurse is providing discharge education to a client who recently have insertion of a pacemaker/ICD. Which statement by the client should require further follow up by the nurse?

The questions related to the client's history that are most important to ask are:

How would you describe your symptoms?: This question is important to assess the client's current cardiac symptoms and determine the severity, duration, and nature of their symptoms. It helps the nurse to evaluate the client's cardiac status and determine appropriate interventions.

Are you allergic to any medications or foods?: This question is crucial to identify any potential allergies that could impact the client's cardiac care. It helps the nurse ensure that medications and interventions are safe for the client and prevent any adverse reactions.

How did your mother die?:This question is important to gather information about the client's family history of cardiac diseases and potential risk factors. Understanding the family history helps the nurse assess the client's genetic predisposition to cardiac conditions and plan appropriate interventions and screenings.

Have you had shortness of breath or weight gain? : This question is important to assess for symptoms of heart failure or fluid retention. Shortness of breath and weight gain can indicate fluid accumulation, which is a common symptom in cardiac conditions. It helps the nurse evaluate the client's cardiac function and determine the need for furtherinterventions or medication adjustments.

Let's review the other options and explain why they are not the most important questions to ask:

Do you have any children?: While family history is important, specifically asking about children is not as relevant to the client's current cardiac condition. The focus should be on the client's own symptoms, medical history, and family history of cardiac diseases.

The information that the nurse should include in the discharge teaching for the client who is three days post-operative abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is as follows:

Notify the healthcare provider (HCP) of any redness or irritation of the incision: This is important because redness or irritation can be signs of infection or other complications at the surgical site. Prompt reporting allows for early intervention and management.

Do not lift anything more than 20 pounds: Following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, it is crucial to avoid heavy lifting or straining as it can put excessive pressure on the surgical site and potentially lead to complications such as incisional hernia. Restricting lifting to no more than 20 pounds helps to protect the incision and promote proper healing.

Inform the client that there may be pain not relieved with pain medication: Pain management is an essential aspect of post-operative care. However, it is important for the client to understand that complete relief of pain may not always be achievable with pain medication alone. They should be aware that mild to moderate discomfort may persist during the healing process, but severe or worsening pain should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Stress the importance of having daily bowel movements: After abdominal surgery, it is common for bowel movements to be delayed due to factors such as anesthesia, reduced activity, and pain medication. However, it is crucial for the client to maintain regular bowel movements to prevent constipation and potential complications such as bowel obstruction. The nurse should provide guidance on strategies to promote regular bowel function, such as staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet rich in fiber, and using stool softeners or gentle laxatives as directed by the healthcare provider.