Answer to Question 1
Answer: A
The client is experiencing acute shortness of breath because of the excess fluid. Excess Fluid Volume is the nursing diagnosis that is the priority at this time. Activity Intolerance and Fatigue will improve once the Excess Fluid Volume is addressed. Ineffective Family Management of Therapeutic Regime related to inability to purchase medications should be addressed after the client's physiological problems are resolved.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: A, D
Tachycardia is a sign of CHF because the heart attempts to improve cardiac output by beating faster. Shortness of breath is caused by pulmonary congestion. Bradycardia is a serious sign and can indicate impending cardiac arrest, but is not a typical assessment finding in a client with CHF. Blood pressure does not increase in CHF, and the weight, instead of decreasing, increases because of retention of fluids.