The nurse is teaching a patient with heart failure about dietary modifications to reduce fluid retention and improve cardiac function. Which of the following foods should the nurse advise the patient to limit or avoid?
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Whole grains and cereals
Lean meats and poultry
Canned soups and sauces.
The Correct Answer is D
The nurse should advise the patient with heart failure to limit or avoid canned soups and sauces because they are high in sodium, which can cause fluid retention and worsen cardiac function. Sodium intake should be restricted to less than 2 g per day for patients with heart failure.
Choice A is wrong because fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium, magnesium, and fiber, which are beneficial for heart health. Potassium and magnesium help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, and fiber helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Choice B is wrong because whole grains and cereals are also rich in fiber, as well as complex carbohydrates, which provide energy and prevent rapid fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Whole grains and cereals may also contain phytochemicals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Choice C is wrong because lean meats and poultry are low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Lean meats and poultry provide protein, which is essential for tissue repair and wound healing. Protein intake should be adequate but not excessive for patients with heart failure, as too much protein can increase the workload of the kidneys.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C"]
Explanation
Losartan (Cozaar) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that is used to treat heart failure by lowering blood pressure and reducing fluid retention.
Patients taking losartan should:
• Weigh themselves every morning and report any changes.
This helps to monitor fluid status and detect signs of worsening heart failure.Weight gain of more than 2 kg (4.4 lb) in a week or 1 kg (2.2 lb) in a day should be reported to the health care provider.
• Call their doctor if they have a sore throat or fever.This could indicate an infection or a rare but serious side effect of losartan called angioedema, which causes swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
The other choices are wrong because:
• Losartan does not need to be taken with food to prevent stomach upset.It can be taken with or without food.
• Losartan does not increase the sensitivity to sunlight.However, some other medications for heart failure, such as diuretics, may do so.
• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated is not recommended for patients with heart failure, as it may worsen fluid retention and overload the heart.Patients should follow their prescribed fluid restriction and limit their sodium intake.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should monitor the serum potassium level to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of carvedilol (Coreg), which is a beta-blocker that can lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Carvedilol can also cause hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness.Therefore, the nurse should monitor the serum potassium level and report any values above 5.0 mEq/L to the provider.
Choice B) Serum sodium level is wrong because carvedilol does not affect the sodium level significantly.Sodium level is more relevant for diuretics, which can cause hyponatremia (low sodium) or hypernatremia (high sodium) depending on the type and dose of the medication.
Choice C) Serum magnesium level is wrong because carvedilol does not affect the magnesium level significantly.
Magnesium level is more relevant for digoxin, which is another medication used for heart failure that can cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium) or hypermagnesemia (high magnesium).Hypomagnesemia can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity, while hypermagnesemia can decrease the effectiveness of digoxin.
Choice D) Serum calcium level is wrong because carvedilol does not affect the calcium level significantly.
Calcium level is more relevant for calcium channel blockers, which are another class of medications used for heart failure that can lower the heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the entry of calcium into the cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells.
Calcium channel blockers can cause hypocalcemia (low calcium) or hypercalcemia (high calcium), which can affect the cardiac contractility and conduction.
The normal ranges for serum electrolytes are:
• Potassium: 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L
• Sodium: 135 to 145 mEq/L
• Magnesium: 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
• Calcium: 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.