Author Question: The nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. Which finding should the nurse expect to observe ... (Read 33 times)

fagboi · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. Which finding should the nurse expect to observe in this client?

1. Confusion
2. Weight gain
3. Clear lung sounds
4. Twitching of the arms and legs

Question 2

A client with fluid volume excess is having trouble breathing and coughing. The nurse should expect the physician to order which laboratory test for this client?

1. Serum electrolytes and renal studies
2. Hemoglobin and enzyme levels
3. Gallbladder studies
4. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

jennafosdick · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 2

1. Confusion is not usually a sign of fluid volume excess.
2. The client with heart failure experiences fluid volume excess and will gain weight due to retention of water.
3. The client with too much fluid volume is apt to have wet breath sounds.
4. Twitching of the arms and legs can be a sign of a neurological problem or an electrolyte imbalance.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1.

1. The physician likely would order serum electrolytes to see the sodium level and renal studies, since the kidneys manage fluid and electrolyte balance.
2. Hematocrit will give the physician a sense of fluid levels, but enzymes do not reflect fluid or electrolyte levels.
3. Gallbladder studies reflect the status of the gallbladder only.
4. An MRI is a scan that determines the denseness of tissues.