During cardiac assessment on an adult patient in the hospital for "chest pain," the nurse finds the following: jugular vein pulsations 4 cm above sternal angle when he is elevated at 45 degrees,BP 98/60 mm Hg,HR 130 bpm;ankle edema;difficulty breathing when supine;and S₃.Which of the following best explains the cause of these findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Heart failure causes decreased cardiac output when the pumping action of the heart fails and circulation becomes backed up and congested.Signs and symptoms: dyspnea;orthopnea;paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea;decreased BP;dependent,pitting edema;anxiety;confusion;jugular vein distention;fatigue.S₃ may be the earliest sign of heart failure.

During Cardiac Assessment on an Adult Patient in the Hospital