A patient is admitted with right- and left-sided heart failure.The nurse's assessment reveals that the patient has 3+ pitting edema on the sacrum,blood pressure of 176/98 mm Hg,and bilateral crackles in the lungs.The patient is experiencing shortness of breath and chest discomfort.Increased afterload is probably present related to the patient's blood pressure.Which therapeutic measure will most likely decrease afterload in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Therapeutic management to decrease afterload is aimed at decreasing the work of the heart with the use of vasodilators.Placing the patient in high Fowler position will cause an increase in the workload of the heart.Elevation of the extremities will ease the venous return back to the heart.Increasing IV fluids will cause an increased workload on the heart.

A Patient Is Admitted with Right- and Left-Sided Heart Failure