The practical nurse (PN) is assessing an older adult client with left-sided heart failure (HF). Which intervention is most important for the PN to implement?
Measure urinary output.
Auscultate all lung fields.
Check mental acuity.
Inspect for sacral edema.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Measure urinary output.
Measuring urinary output is important for monitoring fluid balance but is not the most critical intervention for assessing left-sided heart failure specifically.
B. Auscultate all lung fields.
Auscultating lung fields is crucial for assessing signs of pulmonary edema, a key symptom of left-sided heart failure. It provides direct information about the severity of the condition and guides further management.
C. Check mental acuity.
Checking mental acuity can be useful but is not the most critical intervention for managing left-sided heart failure. It is less directly related to evaluating the severity of heart failure compared to lung auscultation.
D. Inspect for sacral edema.
Inspecting for sacral edema is more relevant for right-sided heart failure. For left-sided heart failure, the priority is evaluating pulmonary symptoms, not peripheral edema.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Understanding the client’s current and previous sleep habits and cycles is the most foundational step for assessing sleep disturbances. This information provides a baseline from which the PN can identify patterns and deviations in the client’s sleep behavior.
B. While evening meal and snacking habits can affect sleep, they are secondary to understanding the client’s overall sleep habits and cycles. These habits are part of a broader assessment but not the initial focus.
C. Identifying symptoms resulting from sleep disturbances is important but follows after understanding the client’s sleep history. Symptoms are a result of disturbances, and their identification is based on a foundational understanding of sleep patterns.
D. Exploring new sleep routines the client is considering is part of the intervention phase but comes after understanding current sleep patterns and disturbances. The initial focus should be on gathering comprehensive sleep history.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Sliding hands under the lumbar area and knees can cause strain on the PN’s back and is not the safest method for turning a dependent client.
B. Using a turning sheet to turn the client away from the PN is the safest method for moving a dependent client, as it uses a proper technique that minimizes injury risk for both the client and the PN.
C. Raising bed rails on the opposite side may increase the risk of injury or falls, and is not directly related to the safe turning of the client.
D. Grasping the client's hand to pull them is unsafe and could cause injury or discomfort to both the client and the PN, especially when turning a dependent client.
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