A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has heart failure. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)

Rationale for Correct Options:

• Heart rate. The heart rate has increased from 90/min on Day 1 to 132/min on Day 2. This significant elevation is concerning for worsening systemic inflammation, hypovolemia, or sepsis and requires immediate intervention.
• Respiratory status. The client initially had diminished breath sounds at the lung bases, but by Day 2, breath sounds are diminished throughout. This suggests worsening respiratory function, possibly due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or pleural effusion, both of which can complicate severe pancreatitis. Immediate assessment and intervention are necessary.
• Mental confusion. The client was alert and oriented on Day 1 but is now disoriented to person, place, and time on Day 2. This change in mental status can indicate worsening systemic inflammation, sepsis, hypoxia, or metabolic disturbances such as hypocalcemia. Immediate evaluation is needed.
• Blood pressure. While the client’s initial blood pressure was stable at 126/78 mm Hg, the current reading is not provided. If the client is experiencing hypotension, it could indicate worsening shock, requiring urgent intervention.
• Temperature. The client’s temperature increased from 37.2 °C (99 °F) on Day 1 to 38.9 °C (102 °F) on Day 2. This suggests a developing infection, such as infected pancreatic necrosis or sepsis, which requires immediate reporting and further evaluation.
• Cold, clammy skin. Cold, clammy skin is a sign of poor perfusion, which may indicate impending shock due to worsening sepsis or hypovolemia. This is an urgent finding requiring immediate attention.

Rationale for Incorrect Options:

• Urine output. The client’s urine output was documented as 60 mL/hr, which is within the normal range. There is no indication of oliguria or anuria that would require immediate reporting.
• Sodium level. The sodium level of 142 mEq/L is within the normal range and does not indicate a critical electrolyte imbalance requiring urgent intervention.
• Pain. The client’s pain has increased from 8/10 to 10/10 despite receiving morphine via a PCA pump. While pain management is crucial, worsening pain alone is not the most urgent concern compared to systemic complications like respiratory failure or hemodynamic instability.
• Serum amylase level. Although the serum amylase level is significantly elevated at 498 units/L, this is expected in acute pancreatitis and does not necessarily indicate an immediate life-threatening emergency. Trends in amylase and lipase levels are important for monitoring, but they do not require urgent reporting unless accompanied by other signs of deterioration.

A. Report of weight change. A slight weight loss near term is a common finding as the body prepares for labor. This is not an immediate concern.
B. Client heart rate. The heart rate increased from 90/min at 0830 to 110/min at 0845. A rising maternal heart rate could indicate dehydration, pain, or early signs of infection.
C. Deep tendon reflexes. Reflexes are documented as 2+, which is within the expected range and does not indicate hyperreflexia or hyporeflexia.
D. Fetal heart rate. The FHR at 1530 is 120/min with late decelerations, which is concerning. Late decelerations suggest uteroplacental insufficiency, requiring further assessment and possible interventions such as maternal repositioning, oxygen administration, or fluid bolus.
E. Pain rating. The client reports severe back pain rated as 10/10, which may indicate fetal malposition (such as occiput posterior positioning) or rapid labor progression, both requiring evaluation and possible intervention.
F. Oxygen saturation level. The oxygen saturation has remained stable between 96% and 97%, which is within the expected range and does not require immediate intervention.
G. Report of vaginal discharge. An increased amount of blood-tinged discharge at 1530 may indicate cervical dilation or potential complications such as placental abruption, especially in the presence of late decelerations.