A Patient with Chronic Heart Failure Tells the Nurse at the Clinic

A patient with chronic heart failure tells the nurse at the clinic that he has gained 2.26 kg in the last 3 days,even though he has continued to follow a low-sodium diet.What is the priority nursing action?

A) Ask the patient to recall the dietary intake for the last 3 days because the patient's diet contains hidden sources of sodium.
B) Instruct the patient in a low-calorie,low-fat diet because the weight gain has likely been caused by excessive intake of inappropriate foods.
C) Assess the patient for clinical manifestations of acute heart failure because an exacerbation of the chronic heart failure may be occurring.
D) Educate the patient about the use of diuretic therapy because it is likely that the patient will need medications to reduce the hypervolemia.