The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a client diagnosed with heart failure. The nurse also assesses the client’s sensorium and LOC. Why is the assessment of the client’s sensorium and LOC important in clients with heart failure?

The triage nurse in the ED assesses an adult  client who presents to the ED with reports of midsternal chest pain that has lasted for the last 5 hours. If the client’s symptoms are due to an MI, what will have happened to the myocardium?

The nurse’s assessment of an older adult client reveals the following data: Lying BP 144/82 mm Hg; sitting BP 121/69 mm Hg; standing BP 98/56 mm Hg. The nurse should consequently identify what nursing diagnosis in the client’s plan of care?

In preparation for cardiac surgery, a client was taught about measures to prevent venous thromboembolism. What statement indicates that the client clearly understood this education?

A client has been diagnosed with a valvular disorder. The client tells the nurse that he has read about numerous treatment options, including valvuloplasty. What should the nurse teach the client about valvuloplasty?

A client’s medication regimen for the treatment of hypertension includes hydrochlorothiazide. Following administration of this medication, the nurse should anticipate what effect?

A cardiac client’s resistance to left ventricular filling has caused blood to back up into the client’s circulatory system. What health problem is likely to result?

A nurse is describing the process by which blood is ejected into circulation as the chambers of the heart become smaller. The nurse categorizes this action of the heart as what?

A client newly admitted to the telemetry unit is experiencing progressive fatigue, hemoptysis, and dyspnea. Diagnostic testing has revealed that these signs and symptoms are attributable to pulmonary venous hypertension. What valvular disorder should the nurse anticipate being diagnosed in this client?

The nurse working on a cardiac care unit is caring for a client whose stroke volume has increased. The nurse is aware that afterload influences a client’s stroke volume. The nurse recognizes that afterload is increased when there is what?