Chronic Disease Questions Related

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A nurse is performing discharge teaching for a client who was recently diagnosed with heart failure. Which of the following should be included in the client and family teaching?

  • A. Low sodium diet
  • B. Weekly weights
  • C. Symptoms to report to the provider
  • D. Fluid restriction
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Heart failure management hinges on education to prevent exacerbations. A low sodium diet reduces fluid retention, easing cardiac workload crucial teaching for clients and families to grasp, as salt drives edema and hypertension, common pitfalls in heart failure. Weekly weights track fluid shifts daily is ideal, but weekly still aids while reporting symptoms like dyspnea flags worsening. Medication teaching ensures adherence, and fluid restriction may apply, but sodium's broader impact makes it foundational. Focusing on diet empowers lifestyle change, tackling a root cause over monitoring or restrictions alone, aligning with nursing's role in empowering self-care to stabilize this chronic condition long-term.