What is the best indication if the client with congestive heart failure is holding excess fluid?

The nurse needs to calculate the correct dose of atropine for a client who has a prescription for 0.3 mg IV stat. The nurse knows that atropine is a medication that blocks the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system and is used to treat bradycardia, heart block, and some types of poisoning.

To find out how many milliliters of atropine the nurse will administer, the nurse can use the formula:

Dose ordered / Dose available = Volume to administer

Plugging in the values, the nurse gets:

0.3 mg / 0.4 mg per mL = 0.75 mL

Therefore, the nurse will administer 0.75 mL of atropine to the client IV stat.

A. Intake and output:

Intake and output refer to monitoring the amount of fluids a person consumes (intake) and eliminates (output) through urine, feces, and other means. While tracking fluid intake and output is important, it may not provide a direct indication of excess fluid retention.

B. Pitting pedal edema:

Pitting pedal edema is swelling in the lower extremities, particularly the ankles and feet, that leaves an indentation (pit) when pressure is applied. This can be a sign of fluid retention but may not always be the earliest or most reliable indicator.

C. Crackles in the bases of the lungs:

Crackles or rales in the bases of the lungs can be indicative of pulmonary congestion, which may occur due to fluid accumulation. However, crackles alone may not always be specific to fluid overload and can be present in other respiratory conditions.

D. Daily weights:

Daily weights are a critical and sensitive measure for assessing fluid balance. Sudden weight gain, especially over a short period, can be a strong indicator of fluid retention. Monitoring weight on a daily basis helps to detect changes early, allowing for prompt intervention.