The practical nurse (PN) is assessing an older adult client with left-sided heart failure (HF). Which intervention is most important for the PN to implement?
Measure urinary output.
Auscultate all lung fields.
Check mental acuity.
Inspect for sacral edema.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Measure urinary output.
Measuring urinary output is important for monitoring fluid balance but is not the most critical intervention for assessing left-sided heart failure specifically.
B. Auscultate all lung fields.
Auscultating lung fields is crucial for assessing signs of pulmonary edema, a key symptom of left-sided heart failure. It provides direct information about the severity of the condition and guides further management.
C. Check mental acuity.
Checking mental acuity can be useful but is not the most critical intervention for managing left-sided heart failure. It is less directly related to evaluating the severity of heart failure compared to lung auscultation.
D. Inspect for sacral edema.
Inspecting for sacral edema is more relevant for right-sided heart failure. For left-sided heart failure, the priority is evaluating pulmonary symptoms, not peripheral edema.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Notifying the charge nurse is important but should come after confirming the accurate heart rate assessment.
B. Holding a prescribed morning dose of digoxin may be necessary if bradycardia is confirmed, but the first step is to accurately assess the heart rate.
C. Obtaining a full minute apical pulse assessment is the first step to verify the radial pulse rate reported by the UAP and ensure an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the client's heart rate.
D. Reviewing the client's baseline vital signs is useful but should follow a thorough and accurate assessment of the current heart rate.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Breast tenderness is a common side effect of oral contraceptives and is generally not a cause for immediate concern unless accompanied by other symptoms.
B. Left calf pain is a significant finding that could indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious condition requiring prompt evaluation and potential treatment to prevent complications such as pulmonary embolism.
C. A change in menstrual flow can occur with oral contraceptives but is usually less critical than other symptoms. It should be monitored but does not indicate an immediate problem.
D. A weight gain of 5 pounds is a relatively minor side effect and not as urgent as symptoms suggestive of a serious condition like DVT.
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