The nurse is caring for a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the following symptoms correlate to this diagnosis? (Select all that apply)
Tachypnea
Cough
Jugular vein distention
Ascites
Confusion
Correct Answer : A,B
Choice A reason: Tachypnea occurs in left-sided heart failure as pulmonary edema from backpressure increases respiratory effort to oxygenate blood through fluid-filled alveoli.
Choice B reason: Cough in left-sided failure results from pulmonary congestion irritating airways, often producing frothy sputum as fluid leaks from capillaries into lungs.
Choice C reason: Jugular vein distention indicates right-sided heart failure, where systemic venous pressure rises, not left-sided, which affects lungs, not neck veins.
Choice D reason: Ascites, abdominal fluid buildup, stems from right-sided failure’s hepatic congestion, not left-sided failure’s pulmonary focus, making it unrelated here.
Choice E reason: Confusion may occur late in severe heart failure from hypoxia, but it’s not specific to left-sided failure’s early pulmonary symptoms like tachypnea.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, lowers blood pressure, risking orthostatic hypotension; teaching posture changes (slow standing) prevents falls, a key safety instruction.
Choice B reason: Captopril is taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption, as food reduces bioavailability, so this statement contradicts proper administration guidelines.
Choice C reason: Cough, an ACE inhibitor side effect, doesn’t warrant suppressants; it may require switching drugs, not masking, making this instruction inappropriate.
Choice D reason: Captopril can raise potassium by reducing aldosterone; high-potassium foods risk hyperkalemia, so this advice is unsafe without monitoring levels.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Untreated hypothyroidism progresses to myxedema, a severe state with slowed metabolism causing fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and hair loss from low thyroid hormone.
Choice B reason: Hypocalcemia results from hypoparathyroidism, not hypothyroidism, which affects metabolism, not calcium regulation directly, so it’s unrelated to these symptoms.
Choice C reason: Pericarditis may occur in severe hypothyroidism late, but it’s not the primary complication; myxedema encompasses the broader metabolic decline seen here.
Choice D reason: Thyroid crisis (storm) is a hyperthyroid emergency with fever and tachycardia, opposite to hypothyroidism’s slow symptoms like coldness and fatigue.
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