The nurse is planning the care of a client who has been diagnosed with hypertension but who otherwise enjoys good health. When assessing the response to an antihypertensive drug regimen, what blood pressure would be the goal of treatment?

A. Furosemide 10mg IV bolus every 12 hours:

Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly used in heart failure management to reduce fluid overload. The prescribed dose of 10 mg IV bolus every 12 hours is within the typical range for furosemide administration in acute heart failure.

B. Morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus every 2 hr PRN pain:

Morphine sulfate is often used in the management of acute pain, including pain associated with myocardial infarction. The prescribed dose of 2 mg IV bolus every 2 hours PRN for pain is appropriate and aligns with standard pain management protocols.

C. Laboratory testing of serum potassium upon admission:

It is common practice to perform laboratory testing, including serum potassium levels, upon admission for clients with acute heart failure, especially if they are receiving diuretics or other medications that can affect electrolyte balance. This prescription is appropriate and necessary for monitoring the client's condition.

D. 0.9% normal saline IV at 150 mL/hr continuous:

This prescription raises a concern because administering 0.9% normal saline at a rate of 150 mL/hr continuously may lead to fluid overload in a client with acute heart failure. The rate of IV fluid administration should be carefully assessed based on the client's fluid status, renal function, and hemodynamic parameters to avoid exacerbating heart failure symptoms.

A. Ascending edema:

Ascending edema, also known as dependent edema, is typically associated with right-sided heart failure rather than left-sided heart failure. In right-sided heart failure, the heart's ability to pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation is compromised, leading to fluid backup in the systemic circulation. This fluid accumulates in the dependent areas of the body, such as the lower extremities (legs and ankles), causing swelling that can ascend upwards if left untreated. However, ascending edema is not a characteristic finding in left-sided heart failure, where pulmonary congestion and orthopnea are more common manifestations.

B. The client has no desire to eat:

While decreased appetite can occur in heart failure due to various factors such as fluid retention, abdominal bloating, or medication side effects, it is not a specific hallmark of left-sided heart failure. Symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea (shortness of breath), orthopnea (difficulty breathing while lying flat), and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) are more commonly associated with left-sided heart failure. These symptoms result from the impaired function of the left ventricle, leading to pulmonary congestion and inadequate oxygenation.

C. The client sleeps on three pillows at night:

This choice is the correct answer. Sleeping on three pillows at night is a classic manifestation of orthopnea, a condition commonly seen in left-sided heart failure. Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing while lying flat, which is alleviated by elevating the head and upper body with multiple pillows or sleeping in a semi-upright position. Orthopnea occurs due to the redistribution of fluid from the legs and lower body to the lungs when lying down, resulting in pulmonary congestion and respiratory distress.

D. The client has a five-pound weight gain:

Weight gain is a common symptom of fluid retention in heart failure; however, a specific weight gain of five pounds alone may not be indicative of left-sided heart failure without considering other clinical signs and symptoms. In heart failure, weight gain is often associated with fluid overload, which can lead to edema, dyspnea, orthopnea, and other signs of congestion. It's important to assess the client comprehensively for fluid status, including evaluating for edema, respiratory symptoms, and changes in weight over time, to determine the underlying cause of weight gain.