A patient is diagnosed with heart failure, and the prescriber has ...

[Chloeellawright]

A patient is diagnosed with heart failure, and the prescriber has ordered digoxin. The patient asks what lifestyle changes will help in the management of this condition. The nurse will recommend which changes?
 
  a. Aerobic exercise and weight lifting 2 or 3 times weekly
  b. Changing from cigarette smoking to pipe smoking
  c. Consuming 2 teaspoons or less of salt every day
  d. Having no more than one alcoholic beverage per day

Question 2

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increasing dyspnea and is being evaluated for heart failure (HF). Which test will be ordered to help differentiate between dyspnea due to lung dysfunction and dyspnea due to HF?
 
  a. Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) level
  b. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
  c. Cardiac enzymes
  d. Electrocardiogram (ECG)

[6ana001]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Alcohol should either be completely avoided or restricted to no more than one per day. Mild exercise, such as walking, is recommended. All nicotine deprives the heart of oxygen. Salt should be limited to no more than one teaspoon per day.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The BNP is used to differentiate that dyspnea is due to HF and not lung dysfunction. The other tests will all be a part of the diagnostic workup but do not help with this distinction.

[Chloeellawright]

Thank you!

[6ana001]

Always glad to help...