A nurse is caring for a client who is taking furosemide (Lasix) daily to treat heart failure. The nurse recognizes that the client is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?

Condition Most Likely Experiencing: Heart failure.

The client presents with signs and symptoms consistent with heart failure, including cardiomegaly, bibasilar pleural congestion on chest x-ray, elevated BNP level, and vital signs indicating hypertension (BP 146/98 mm Hg), tachycardia (pulse rate 106/min), and tachypnea (respirations 24/min). Additionally, the client is prescribed medications commonly used to manage heart failure, such as digoxin and carvedilol, and is receiving a diuretic (furosemide) to address fluid overload associated with heart failure.
Action to Take:

Elevate the head of the bed: Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce venous return to the heart, decreasing preload and potentially alleviating symptoms of heart failure, such as dyspnea and orthopnea. It can also help prevent aspiration in clients with compromised cardiac function. Encourage intake of a low-sodium diet: A low-sodium diet is essential in managing heart failure as it helps reduce fluid retention and edema by decreasing fluid volume overload. Sodium restriction helps minimize fluid accumulation, which is crucial in preventing exacerbations of heart failure.
Parameter to Monitor:

Urinary output: Monitoring urinary output is important in assessing fluid balance and response to diuretic therapy in clients with heart failure. Decreased urinary output may indicate worsening heart failure or inadequate response to diuretic therapy, whereas increased output may suggest over-diuresis or improvement in heart failure symptoms.
Blood pressure: Monitoring blood pressure helps assess the effectiveness of treatment in managing heart failure and controlling hypertension, a common comorbidity. Hypertension can exacerbate heart failure, so monitoring blood pressure trends helps guide adjustments in medication therapy to achieve optimal blood pressure control and improve cardiac function.

A. Dyspnea on exertion: Dyspnea on exertion is a common symptom in clients with heart failure and may indicate worsening heart function. While it warrants monitoring and potential intervention, it is not as urgent as rapid weight gain.

B. Increased urination: Increased urination may be expected with the use of diuretics, as they promote the excretion of excess fluid from the body. This finding is not typically concerning unless accompanied by other symptoms.

C. Weight gain of 2 pounds in a week: A weight gain of 2 pounds in a week may indicate fluid retention, but it is not as concerning as a rapid weight gain over a shorter period.

D. Weight gain of 3 pounds in 24 hours: A rapid weight gain of 3 pounds in 24 hours is significant and may indicate fluid overload, potentially leading to exacerbation of heart failure symptoms. It should be reported promptly to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.