A patient is admitted with orthopnea, cough, pulmonary crackles, and peripheral edema. The patient's urine specific gravity is 1.002. The nurse will expect this patient's provider to order which treatment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of orthopnea, cough, pulmonary crackles, and peripheral edema are characteristic of congestive heart failure. The low urine specific gravity (1.002) indicates a decrease in kidney function and the inability to concentrate urine, which is a common finding in congestive heart failure. Diuretics are the first-line treatment to reduce fluid volume and alleviate symptoms in patients with congestive heart failure. Colloidal, hypertonic, or hypotonic IV fluids would not be appropriate treatments for this patient's diagnosis.

A Patient Is Admitted with Orthopnea, Cough, Pulmonary Crackles, and Peripheral