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.)

A. Alternate activity and rest. Clients with heart failure should balance activity and rest to prevent overexertion and minimize cardiac workload. Frequent rest periods help conserve energy and reduce symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue.
B. Reduce sodium intake to 2 g per day. Limiting sodium intake helps prevent fluid retention and reduces the risk of worsening heart failure. Excess sodium contributes to increased blood volume and exacerbates symptoms such as edema and shortness of breath.
C. Consume a low-fiber diet. A low-fiber diet is not necessary for heart failure management. Adequate fiber intake is beneficial for preventing constipation, which can increase strain during bowel movements and lead to hemodynamic stress. A high-fiber diet is generally encouraged.
D. Gradually increase activity each day. Clients should slowly increase their activity level based on tolerance to improve cardiovascular function. Overexertion should be avoided, but regular, controlled exercise helps maintain mobility and enhance overall heart health.
E. Eat small, frequent meals each day. Eating smaller meals reduces gastric distension and minimizes pressure on the diaphragm, which can help alleviate shortness of breath. Large meals can increase metabolic demands and contribute to discomfort in clients with heart failure.

A. Increased urinary output. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes diuresis by inhibiting sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys. Increased urinary output indicates the medication is effectively reducing fluid volume, which is beneficial for clients with heart failure to decrease edema and pulmonary congestion.
B. Decreased BUN level. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can fluctuate due to hydration status and kidney function, but a decrease in BUN is not a primary indicator of furosemide’s effectiveness. Instead, BUN levels should be monitored for potential elevation, which could indicate dehydration or renal impairment as an adverse effect of the medication.
C. Decreased hemoglobin level. Furosemide does not directly affect hemoglobin levels. A decrease in hemoglobin may indicate anemia, which is not a desired or expected effect of diuretic therapy for heart failure.
D. Increased weight of 0.91 kg (2 lb). An increase in weight suggests fluid retention, which would indicate that heart failure is worsening rather than improving. Effective furosemide therapy should lead to weight reduction due to fluid loss, not weight gain.