Answer:
The nurse should listen to lung sounds using a stethoscope to assess left-sided heart function, as left-sided heart failure can lead to pulmonary edema, which is characterized by crackling sounds. Expiration during deep breathing can amplify left-sided heart murmurs and aid in diagnosis. The correct multiple-choice option is (a) Listening to lung sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse assessing a client with a diagnosis of left-sided heart failure should primarily focus on listening to lung sounds. This is important because the left side of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, and impairment in this function can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema, which produces characteristic crackling sounds on auscultation. Auscultation using a stethoscope is a proven, safe, and inexpensive tool for evaluating heart function and detecting abnormalities such as valve and septal disorders, which may result in abnormal heart sounds or murmurs. Furthermore, it is helpful to perform the auscultation while the patient performs deep breathing, as expiration may amplify left-sided heart murmurs, aiding in a more accurate assessment of left-sided heart function.
The correct multiple-choice option is (a) Listening to lung sounds.