A nurse is planning the care of a patient with heart failure. Which of the following interventions does the nurse include in the plan?

Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discomfort.

Limit sodium in the diet to 3.5 g/day.

Place client in a lateral position.

Limit fluid intake to 2 liters/day.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason:

Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for discomfort is not recommended for patients with heart failure because NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and worsen heart failure symptoms. They can also interfere with the effects of certain heart failure medications.

Choice B reason:

Limiting sodium in the diet to 3.5 g/day is not restrictive enough for heart failure patients. Typically, heart failure management involves reducing sodium intake to around 2-2.3 g/day to help prevent fluid retention and reduce the workload on the heart.

Choice C reason:

Placing the client in a lateral position is not specifically beneficial in the management of heart failure. While changing positions can be part of general patient care, it does not directly address the fluid balance or cardiac workload in heart failure patients.

Choice D reason:

Limiting fluid intake to 2 liters/day is a common intervention for managing heart failure. This helps to prevent fluid overload, which can exacerbate heart failure symptoms and lead to complications such as pulmonary edema. Maintaining a careful balance of fluid intake is essential for managing heart failure effectively.

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Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Applying tight-fitting clothing is not recommended for patients at risk of autonomic dysreflexia. Tight clothing can be a trigger for this condition by causing discomfort and potentially leading to an exaggerated autonomic response.

Choice B reason:

Completing frequent skin checks is crucial in preventing autonomic dysreflexia. Skin irritation, pressure sores, and other integumentary issues can trigger autonomic responses. Regular assessments help in early identification and prevention of potential irritants.

Choice C reason:

Initiating a bowel regimen program is essential for preventing autonomic dysreflexia. Constipation or bowel distension can be potent triggers for this condition. A consistent bowel program helps in managing and preventing these issues.

Choice D reason:

Inserting an indwelling Foley catheter is recommended to manage bladder distention, a common trigger of autonomic dysreflexia. Continuous bladder drainage prevents overdistention and reduces the risk of triggering autonomic responses.

Choice E reason:

Restricting all patient visitors is unnecessary for preventing autonomic dysreflexia. While a calm environment can be beneficial, visitor restriction is not directly related to managing the risk of this specific condition.

A. Elevate the head of the bed immediately and notify the provider B. Administer PRN tylenol for the patient's headache C. Recheck all of the patient's vital signs D. Elevate the patient's knees and lower the head of the bed

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Elevating the head of the bed and notifying the provider is the correct initial action when a patient with a spinal cord lesion at T4 experiences a significantly elevated blood pressure (190/100), headache, and flushing. These symptoms suggest autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention. Elevating the head of the bed helps to lower blood pressure, and notifying the provider ensures that further medical treatment can be administered promptly.

Choice B reason:

Administering PRN Tylenol for the patient's headache is not the appropriate first action in this scenario. While Tylenol may help with the headache, it does not address the underlying cause of the elevated blood pressure and autonomic dysreflexia. Immediate intervention to lower blood pressure is critical to prevent complications.

Choice C reason:

Rechecking all of the patient's vital signs is important but not the priority action in this situation. The nurse should first take measures to lower the blood pressure and address the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia by elevating the head of the bed and notifying the provider. Monitoring vital signs can be done concurrently, but it should not delay the immediate intervention required.

Choice D reason:

Elevating the patient's knees and lowering the head of the bed is contraindicated in this situation. Lowering the head of the bed can further increase intracranial pressure and exacerbate symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. The proper position to help reduce blood pressure is to elevate the head of the bed.

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A nurse is planning the care of a patient with heart failure. Which of the following interventions does the nurse include in the plan?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated spinal cord injury patient in the ICU. To avoid the complication of autonomic dysreflexia, the nurse plans to implement the following orders:

Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]

Explanation

A patient with a spinal cord lesion at T4 tells the nurse that he has a headache and feels flushed. The BP is significantly elevated to 190/100. The first action by the nurse is to:

Correct Answer is A

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