Problem: A 74 yo female, Jackie Smith, is being discharged from the telemetry unit after being hospitalized for an acute CHF exacerbation. The client lives with her daughter, Evelyn Harris, who works and cares for her disabled husband. After ensuring there is a Power of Attorney (POA) document on file designating Mrs. Harris as the POA, you as the nurse arrange to have a virtual session with her to discuss her mother's discharge instructions. Mrs. Smith is being discharged with an order for Lasix 40 mg BID and is to follow up with a cardiologist in 3 days.
Q1. Discuss what CHF is in a manner that can be understood for someone who is not in the medical field.
Q2. Discuss commonly described medications for CHF and the reason they are being administered.
Q3. Make nutritional recommendations for a client newly diagnosed with CHF.
Q4. Discuss follow up plans for the client.
Q5. Discuss symptoms that would require immediate evaluation by a MD.
Reference: Hoffman, J.J. & Sullivan, N. (2020). Davis Advantage for Medical-Surgical Nursing: Making Connections to Practice (2nd ed.). F.A. Davis.