The patient with hypertension has experienced heart failure.The nurse notes that the patient is receiving nefedipine (Procardia).What is a priority assessment for the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Auscultating breath sounds for crackles is a priority assessment for a patient with heart failure who is receiving nefedipine, as crackles indicate pulmonary congestion and worsening heart failure. While assessing lab values and urinary output are important, they are not as immediate of a concern with respect to the patient's current condition. Assessing level of orientation may also be important, but it is not the priority in this situation.

The Patient with Hypertension Has Experienced Heart Failure