Final answer:
Important findings to report to the nurse immediately in a patient with congestive heart failure include increased heart rate, hypoxemia, crackling sound in the lungs, shortness of breath, and changes in sputum.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a patient with congestive heart failure, there are several important findings that should be reported to the nurse immediately. These include:
- Increased heart rate: A higher heart rate may indicate that the heart is working harder to pump blood and could be a sign of worsening heart failure.
- Hypoxemia: A lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood can occur in congestive heart failure and may be a sign of inadequate oxygenation.
- Crackling sound in the lungs: This can be a sign of fluid accumulation in the lungs, which is a common complication of congestive heart failure.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing can be a result of fluid buildup in the lungs and should be reported immediately.
- Changes in sputum: Any changes in the color or consistency of mucus, such as greenish mucus, should be reported as it may indicate an infection.