Question

1.Which laboratory results are consistent with CHF?

2. A client with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) is being discharged from the hospital. Describe appropriate patient teaching for prescribed medications and diet before discharge?

3. The home health nurse is making an initial visit to the patient recently discharged form the hospital. What would the nurse include in the home care assessment

Answer 1

1.Cardiac enzymes, BNP, serum chemistries, liver function studies, thyroid function studies and complete blood count.

2Drug therapy

• Take each drug as prescribed daily.
• Develop a check-off system to ensure medications have been taken.
• Take pulse rate each day before taking medications.
• Learn to take own BP at determined intervals.
• Know signs and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension and how to prevent them.
• Know signs and symptoms of internal bleeding.

Diet therapy

• Consult the written diet plan and list of permitted and restricted foods.
• Examine labels to determine sodium content.
• Avoid using salt when preparing foods.
• Weigh yourself in the early morning after arising.
• Report weight gain of 3lb in 2days.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.

3.Effective home health care can prevent or limit future hospitalization. Home nursing care will follow up with ongoing clinical assessment, monitoring vital signs and evaluating response to therapies.