Congestive Cardiac Failure

Congestive Cardiac Failure ( 35 Questions)

A client with congestive heart failure reports waking up at night with sudden breathlessness and feeling the need to sit upright to breathe comfortably. The nurse should document this symptom as:


Correct Answer: B

A) This choice is incorrect because orthopnea is a different symptom where the client experiences difficulty breathing while lying flat and finds relief by sitting upright or standing.

B) This choice is correct. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is characterized by sudden breathlessness that awakens the client from sleep, usually 1-2 hours after falling asleep. The client may feel the need to sit upright or dangle the legs to breathe comfortably.

C) This choice is incorrect because peripheral edema refers to swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet, which is a common symptom of congestive heart failure but does not match the client's reported symptom.

D) This choice is incorrect because tachypnea is rapid breathing and is not specifically related to the client's nighttime symptom of sudden breathlessness.




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