Question

A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume excess. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

a.Weak peripheral pulses
b.Increased hematocrit
c.Crackles in the lungs
d.Weight loss from baseline

Answer 1

A nurse assessing a client with fluid volume excess should expect symptoms such as crackles in the lungs, indicating pulmonary edema, and increased heart rate due to the body's response to maintain circulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a client who has fluid volume excess should expect to find several specific manifestations. These may include crackles in the lungs, which are indicative of fluid overload, particularly in the case of pulmonary edema. This condition compromises gas exchange and can be detected through the crackling sounds that occur when air passes through fluid in the air sacs. Another manifestation is an increased heart rate, as the body attempts to maintain adequate circulation despite the fluid imbalance. Signs of generalized edema, such as pitting edema in the limbs, may also be present due to the accumulation of excess water in the tissues.