Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 76%
Full-length
A client diagnosed with valvular heart disease is at risk for developing heart failure. What should the nurse assess as the priority when monitoring for heart failure?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Breath sounds are the best way to assess for the onset of heart failure. The presence of crackles or an increase in crackles is an indicator of fluid in the lungs caused by heart failure. The remaining options are components of the assessment but are less reliable indicators of heart failure.