A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure.

Findings upon admission:

The nurse is assessing the client 24 hr later. How should the nurse interpret the findings related to the diagnosis of heart failure?

Shortness of breath with exertion

Lung sounds clear

WBC count 11,800/mm3

Temperature 38.5° C (101.3° F)

Weight 113 kg (249 lb)

Creatinine 1.8

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"B"},"B":{"answers":"B"},"C":{"answers":"C"},"D":{"answers":"C"},"E":{"answers":"C"},"F":{"answers":"C"}}

Indication of potential improvement:
• Shortness of breath with exertion
• Lung sounds clear

Indication of potential worsening condition:
• WBC count 11,800/mm³
• Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
• Weight 113 kg (249 lb)
• Creatinine 1.8 mg/dL

Rationale:

• Shortness of breath with exertion: Previously, the client had dyspnea at rest. Improvement to exertional dyspnea suggests better fluid balance and cardiac function.

• Lung sounds clear: The initial presence of crackles indicated pulmonary congestion. Clear lung sounds suggest reduced fluid overload, reflecting improved cardiac function.

• WBC count 11,800/mm³: An increasing WBC count suggests a possible infection, which can worsen heart failure by increasing metabolic demands and fluid retention.

• Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F): Fever indicates a possible infection, such as a UTI, which the client has a history of. Infections can exacerbate heart failure by triggering systemic inflammation and fluid shifts.

• Weight 113 kg (249 lb): Weight gain in heart failure is often due to fluid retention, indicating worsening congestion.

• Creatinine 1.8 mg/dL: A rising creatinine level suggests worsening kidney function, which may result from reduced perfusion due to heart failure or excessive diuresis from furosemide.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Temperature of 38° C (100.4° F): An elevated temperature may indicate infection, which is a potential complication of TPN due to the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections. However, fever is not a sign of fluid volume overload.

B. Urinary output of 20 mL in the past hour: Oliguria (low urine output) is more commonly associated with dehydration or renal impairment rather than fluid volume overload. In fluid overload, urine output may initially increase if kidney function is normal.

C. +1 pedal pulses: Weak pulses can indicate poor circulation, hypovolemia, or peripheral vascular disease. In fluid overload, bounding pulses rather than weak pulses are typically observed due to increased intravascular volume.

D. S3 heart sound: An S3 heart sound (ventricular gallop) occurs when excess fluid volume causes rapid ventricular filling, leading to abnormal heart sounds. This finding is a classic sign of fluid volume overload and can indicate heart failure or significant fluid retention.

A. Provide a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables for the client. B. Apply new gloves when alternating between wound care sites. C. Clean the equipment in the client's room once per week. D. Limit visitation time for the client's children to 40 min per day.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Provide a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables for the client: While a high-protein, high-calorie diet is essential for wound healing in burn patients, fresh fruits and vegetables may not be appropriate if the client is immunocompromised due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Cooked or peeled produce is often recommended.

B. Apply new gloves when alternating between wound care sites: Burn wounds are highly susceptible to infection. Changing gloves between different wound sites prevents cross-contamination and reduces the risk of spreading bacteria, which is critical in preventing wound infections and sepsis.

C. Clean the equipment in the client's room once per week: Equipment in a burn unit should be cleaned and disinfected daily to minimize the risk of infection. Weekly cleaning is insufficient for infection control in an immunocompromised client.

D. Limit visitation time for the client's children to 40 min per day: While infection control is a priority, limiting visitation is not typically necessary unless the visitors are ill. Emotional support from family can aid in psychological recovery, and proper infection control measures can be implemented without strict visitation limits.

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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure. Findings upon admission: The nurse is assessing the client 24 hr later. How should the nurse interpret the findings related to the diagnosis of heart failure?

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A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing an exacerbation of heart failure.

Findings upon admission:

The nurse is assessing the client 24 hr later. How should the nurse interpret the findings related to the diagnosis of heart failure?