The nurse is assessing a client who has a history of right-sided heart failure. Which assessment finding(s) is/are most consistent with this client’s diagnosis? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: ECT induces controlled seizures to treat severe depression, often causing short-term memory loss due to temporary disruption of hippocampal function. This is a common side effect, and clients should be informed to expect potential memory difficulties post-treatment.

Choice B reason: Atropine is used pre-ECT to reduce secretions, not post-procedure. Administering it afterward is unnecessary, as its role is to prevent airway complications during the procedure, making this an incorrect teaching point for ECT.

Choice C reason: Family attendance during ECT is not permitted due to the controlled medical environment, anesthesia, and seizure induction, which require privacy and safety protocols. This instruction is incorrect, as only medical personnel are present during the procedure.

Choice D reason: ECT is performed under general anesthesia, so the client is unconscious, not awake, during the procedure. Being awake would prevent safe seizure induction and monitoring, making this an incorrect and unsafe teaching point.

Choice A reason: Daily weight monitoring and reporting a 3-pound gain in one day indicates fluid retention, a sign of worsening heart failure. This is correct and shows understanding of self-monitoring to prevent complications, requiring no further teaching.

Choice B reason: Notifying the provider about increasing shortness of breath at rest is appropriate, as it signals worsening heart failure due to reduced cardiac output or pulmonary edema. This reflects proper understanding of symptom monitoring, requiring no additional teaching.

Choice C reason: A low-sodium diet reduces fluid retention in heart failure by decreasing sodium-induced water retention, preventing worsening of edema or congestion. This statement is correct and demonstrates understanding of dietary management, requiring no further teaching.

Choice D reason: Sleeping in a reclining chair may occur in severe heart failure due to orthopnea, but it is not a standard recommendation. It suggests poor symptom control, requiring further teaching on optimizing medical management, such as medication adherence and fluid monitoring, to prevent this need.