Question

The nurse is educating a patient diagnosed with heart failure (HF). The nurse knows that instruction regarding compensatory mechanisms has been effective when the patient states,

Select all that apply.
1. "My heart enlarged in order to compensate for the effects of heart failure."
2. "My nervous system kicks in to compensate for the effects of heart failure."
3. "My body will decrease blood flow to other organs in order to compensate for heart failure."
4. "My body will increase urine output in order to compensate for the effects of heart failure."
5. "My body will produce anti-inflammatory agents to compensate for heart failure."

Answer 1

Heart failure compensatory mechanisms include ventricular hypertrophy, sympathetic nervous system activation, and redistribution of blood flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statements that the patient should make regarding compensatory mechanisms in heart failure are:

1. "My heart enlarged in order to compensate for the effects of heart failure."
2. "My nervous system kicks in to compensate for the effects of heart failure."
3. "My body will decrease blood flow to other organs in order to compensate for heart failure."

These statements correctly describe the adaptive mechanisms that occur in heart failure, such as ventricular hypertrophy, sympathetic nervous system activation, and redistribution of blood flow.