The client is admitted to the nurse's unit with a diagnosis of heart failure. His heart is not pumping effectively, which is resulting in edema and coarse crackles in his lungs. The term for this condition is which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's symptoms (edema and coarse crackles in his lungs) are characteristic of fluid volume excess, also known as fluid overload. Heart failure can cause fluid to back up into the lungs, leading to pulmonary congestion and edema. Therefore, the correct answer is C - fluid volume excess. A is incorrect because fluid volume deficit is associated with decreased circulating blood volume and would not cause edema or lung crackles. B is incorrect because myocardial infarction is a heart attack and does not describe the client's symptoms. D is incorrect because atelectasis refers to collapsed lung tissue, and the client's lung symptoms are due to excess fluid, not collapsed tissue.

The Client Is Admitted to the Nurse's Unit with a Diagnosis