Question

A client asks the nurse why it is important to be weighed every day if he has right-sided heart failure. What is the nurse's best response?

a. "Weight is the best indication that you are gaining or losing fluid."
b. "Daily weights will help us make sure that you're eating properly."
c. "The hospital requires that all inpatients be weighed daily."
d. "You need to lose weight to decrease the incidence of heart failure."

Answer 1

Daily weighing is crucial for patients with right-sided heart failure as it indicates fluid gains or losses, allowing early intervention and treatment adjustments before complications worsen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's best response to a client with right-sided heart failure asking about the importance of daily weighing is: "Weight is the best indication that you are gaining or losing fluid." Daily weight monitoring is crucial for patients with heart failure because it is an early indicator of fluid retention or loss. In the context of right-sided heart failure, fluid retention can lead to increased pressure in the venous system, which is part of the circulatory system affected by right-heart failure. Sudden weight gain may signify worsening heart failure due to fluid accumulation. Therefore, the healthcare team can intervene early and adjust treatments such as diuretics or dietary changes proactively before serious complications occur.