The nurse is teaching a client about lifestyle modifications after a heart failure diagnosis. What will be included in the teaching?
Weigh yourself once a week.
Drink 3 liters of fluid per day.
Engage in exercise daily.
Restrict dietary potassium.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Weigh yourself once a week:
This is an important part of heart failure management as weight gain can indicate fluid retention, a common symptom of heart failure. The nurse should instruct the client to weigh themselves at the same time of day, using the same scale, and wearing similar clothing each time. Any sudden weight gain should be reported to the healthcare provider promptly.
B. Drink 3 liters of fluid per day:
This option is not appropriate for most heart failure patients, especially those with fluid retention issues. Fluid intake should be monitored and restricted based on the individual's condition and healthcare provider's recommendations. Consuming too much fluid can exacerbate fluid retention and worsen heart failure symptoms.
C. Engage in exercise daily:
Exercise is generally recommended for heart failure patients, but the type, intensity, and frequency of exercise should be tailored to the individual's condition. The nurse should encourage the client to engage in regular physical activity as tolerated, following a structured exercise plan approved by their healthcare provider. Activities like walking, cycling, or water aerobics can be beneficial for heart health.
D. Restrict dietary potassium:
This option is not typically included in lifestyle modifications for heart failure unless the client has specific potassium-related issues or is taking medications that require potassium restriction. Potassium is an important electrolyte for heart function, and most heart failure patients are advised to consume a balanced diet with moderate potassium intake, unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. RR Interval:
The RR interval is the time between two consecutive R waves on an electrocardiogram (ECG) strip. It is primarily used to determine the ventricular rate and rhythm of the heart. A regular RR interval suggests a regular heart rhythm, while irregular intervals may indicate arrhythmias or other cardiac abnormalities. Calculating the RR interval can help determine the heart rate (ventricular rate) by dividing 60 seconds by the RR interval in seconds (e.g., if the RR interval is 0.8 seconds, the heart rate would be approximately 75 beats per minute).
B. QT Interval:
The QT interval represents the time from the start of the Q wave to the end of the T wave on an ECG. It reflects the time it takes for the ventricles to depolarize and repolarize. Prolongation or shortening of the QT interval can indicate certain cardiac conditions or medication effects, including an increased risk of arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes. However, it is not directly used to determine ventricular rate and rhythm as the RR interval is.
C. PP Interval:
The PP interval is the time between two consecutive P waves on an ECG strip. It is primarily used to assess the atrial rate and rhythm. Regular PP intervals indicate a regular atrial rhythm, while irregular intervals may suggest atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. The PP interval is not directly used to determine ventricular rate and rhythm.
D. PR Interval:
The PR interval is the time from the start of the P wave to the start of the QRS complex on an ECG strip. It represents the time it takes for the electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles. A normal PR interval is typically between 0.12 to 0.20 seconds. Prolongation or shortening of the PR interval can indicate certain cardiac conduction abnormalities.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The symptoms indicate an acute coronary episode and should be treated as such:
The client's symptoms, including sudden midsternal chest pain unrelieved with rest and a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), strongly suggest an acute coronary event, such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Pale, cool skin can also be indicative of decreased perfusion due to cardiac compromise. Given these critical signs and symptoms, the nurse should interpret this as a potential cardiac emergency and initiate immediate interventions aimed at managing and stabilizing the client's condition.
B. The symptoms indicate angina and should be treated as such:
While angina can present with symptoms such as chest pain, it is typically relieved with rest or nitroglycerin. In contrast, the client in this scenario has midsternal chest pain that is not relieved with rest, which is more indicative of an acute coronary event like a myocardial infarction. Therefore, interpreting the symptoms as angina and treating them as such may not be appropriate given the severity and persistence of the chest pain.
C. Treatment should be determined pending the results of an exercise stress test:
Waiting for the results of an exercise stress test is not appropriate in this scenario, as the client's presentation suggests an acute cardiac event that requires immediate intervention. Exercise stress tests are typically used for diagnostic purposes to assess cardiovascular function under controlled conditions but are not suitable for managing acute coronary episodes or emergencies.
D. The symptoms indicate a pulmonary etiology rather than a cardiac etiology:
While some symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, can overlap between cardiac and pulmonary conditions, the client's presentation with sudden midsternal chest pain unrelieved with rest, pale cool skin, and a history of CAD strongly suggests a cardiac etiology, specifically an acute coronary event. It is essential to prioritize cardiac assessment and intervention based on the client's symptoms and medical history.
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