(1 point). Listen.
Which laboratory result should the nurse monitor to determine the severity of heart failure in a patient?

Choice A rationale:

A high-sodium diet is a risk factor for hypertension but is not directly associated with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis primarily involves the buildup of plaque within the arteries, which can lead to the narrowing and hardening of these blood vessels. While hypertension is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, the choice does not correctly address the question, as it asks for risk factors associated with atherosclerosis specifically.

Choice B rationale:

Advanced age is indeed a risk factor for atherosclerosis. As individuals age, the risk of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases increases. Atherosclerosis is a progressive condition that develops over time, and older individuals are more likely to have accumulated risk factors contributing to its development. Therefore, this choice is correct in identifying an associated risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Choice C rationale:

The correct answer is choice C because hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, have been linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. This choice is accurate in identifying a specific risk factor for atherosclerosis and aligns with current medical knowledge.

Choice D rationale:

A low-potassium diet is not a direct risk factor for atherosclerosis. While potassium intake can affect blood pressure regulation, it is not one of the primary risk factors for atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is primarily related to factors like high cholesterol levels, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes. Therefore, this choice is not correct in the context of risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Choice A rationale:

Choice A is not the answer. Syncope refers to fainting or losing consciousness, and it is not typically an assessment finding associated with pulmonary edema. The symptoms of pulmonary edema are more related to respiratory distress and fluid overload rather than loss of consciousness. Therefore, this statement is not relevant to the development of pulmonary edema in left-sided heart failure.

Choice B rationale:

Choice B is not the answer. Weak pulses and decreased skin temperature are not specific assessment findings for pulmonary edema. In pulmonary edema, patients often exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, crackles in the lungs, and pink frothy sputum. These symptoms are related to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, rather than changes in peripheral pulses or skin temperature.

Choice C rationale:

Choice C is not the answer. Oliguria refers to reduced urine output, and while it can be related to kidney dysfunction in some cases, it is not a direct assessment finding of pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema primarily presents with respiratory symptoms, such as severe dyspnea, cough, and audible crackles in the lungs, due to fluid accumulation.

Choice D rationale:

The correct answer is choice D. Dyspnea and cough are key assessment findings that indicate to the nurse that pulmonary edema has developed in a patient with left-sided (congestive) heart failure. Pulmonary edema is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, leading to severe difficulty in breathing (dyspnea) and a productive cough with frothy, pink-tinged sputum. These respiratory symptoms are typical of pulmonary edema and should alert the nurse to its presence. .