Chapter 29: Management of Patients With Complications from Heart Disease

The Cardiac Nurse Clinician is teaching a group of clients with heart failure about self-management of their disease. What dietary advice should the Nurse Clinician give to clients with severe heart failure until edema resolves?

Avoid the intake of processed and commercially prepared foods.

Which of the following is a key diagnostic laboratory test for heart failure?

B-type natriuretic peptide

Which of the following is a key diagnostic indicator of heart failure (HF)?

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)

The nurse identifies which symptom as a manifestation of right-sided heart failure (HF)?

Congestion in the peripheral tissues

The diagnosis of heart failure is usually confirmed by which of the following?

Echocardiogram

Which medication is categorized as a loop diuretic?

Furosemide

A nurse reviews the patient's chart. The doctor noted in the progress notes that he suspected the patient was experiencing decreased left ventricular function. The nurse knows to look for documentation of all of the following to validate that diagnosis except:

Increased stroke volume.

The nurse is preparing a client for a multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scan. What would be an important instruction for the nurse to give a client who is to undergo a MUGA scan?

Lie very still at intermittent times during the test.

A nurse suspects that a client has digoxin toxicity. The nurse should assess for:

Vision changes

Which nursing intervention should the nurse perform when a client with valvular disorder of the heart has a heart rate less than 60 beats/min before administering beta-blockers?

Withhold the drug and inform the primary health care provider.

A client with left-sided heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath and is agitated and coughing up pink-tinged, foamy sputum. The nurse should recognize these findings as signs and symptoms of what condition?

acute pulmonary edema.

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with heart failure preparing to leave the following day. What type of diet should the nurse request the dietitian to discuss with the client?

low-sodium diet

A client is prescribed digitalis medication. Which condition should the nurse closely monitor when caring for the client?

nausea and vomiting