Question

The Cardiac Nurse Clinician is teaching a group of clients with heart failure about self-management of their disease. What dietary advice should the Nurse Clinician give to clients with severe heart failure until edema resolves?

1) Encourage increased intake of vegetables with natural sodium.
2) Avoid the intake of canned fruit and fruit juices.
3) Encourage increased intake of red meat.
4) Avoid the intake of processed and commercially prepared foods.

Answer 1

Clients with severe heart failure should avoid processed and commercially prepared foods to limit sodium intake and decrease water retention. They should focus on whole foods, limit saturated fats, and increase omega-3 fatty acids to manage edema and improve heart health.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Cardiac Nurse Clinician should give dietary advice to clients with severe heart failure until edema resolves which focuses on reducing fluid retention and improving heart health. The most suitable advice from the given options would be to avoid the intake of processed and commercially prepared foods. These foods often contain high levels of sodium, which can worsen edema and fluid retention. Encouraging clients to limit their sodium intake is crucial, as this can help decrease water retention and the burden on the heart. Instead, clients should focus on consuming whole foods, including a variety of vegetables, fruits, and healthy sources of protein, while avoiding those with added salt or sugar. It's also beneficial to limit saturated fats and increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more fish and fewer red meats, and use healthier oils like nut and vegetable oils.