A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving morphine via continuous epidural infusion.
The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

This is because a weight gain of 2.5 kg (5 Ib) in 2 days indicates a worsening of heart failure and fluid retention, which may require an adjustment of the diuretic dose or other medications.

The provider should be informed of this change as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

Choice A is wrong because teaching the client about foods low in sodium is not the first action the nurse should take.

While a low-sodium diet is important for heart failure patients, it is not an urgent intervention and it does not address the immediate problem of fluid overload.

Choice B is wrong because determining medication adherence by the client is not the first action the nurse should take.

While it is important to assess if the client is taking furosemide as prescribed, it is not an urgent intervention and it does not rule out other causes of fluid retention, such as renal impairment or disease progression.

Choice C is wrong because encouraging the client to dangle the legs while sitting in a chair is not the first action the nurse should take.

While this may help reduce edema in the lower extremities, it does not address the underlying cause of fluid overload and it may worsen pulmonary congestion by increasing venous return to the heart.

Epinephrine (adrenaline) is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Epinephrine works by reducing the body’s allergic response and improving the breathing and circulation of the client. Epinephrine should be given as soon as possible after the onset of anaphylaxis symptoms, using an auto-injector device if available.

Choice B is wrong because replacing the infusion with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is not enough to treat anaphylaxis. Normal saline can help maintain the blood pressure and hydration of the client, but it does not reverse the allergic reaction or improve the breathing of the client. Normal saline can be given after epinephrine, but not before or instead of it.

Choice C is wrong because giving diphenhydramine IM is not enough to treat anaphylaxis. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that can help relieve some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as itching and hives, but it works too slowly and does not address the more serious effects of anaphylaxis on the breathing and circulation of the client. Diphenhydramine can be given after epinephrine, but not before or instead of it.

Choice D is wrong because elevating the client's legs and feet is not enough to treat anaphylaxis. Elevating the legs and feet can help increase the blood flow to the vital organs, but it does not reverse the allergic reaction or improve the breathing of the client. Elevating the legs and feet can be done after epinephrine, but not before or instead of it.