Question

A nurse finds the following signs on assessment of her patient: 3+ ankle edema, feet cool to the touch, heart rate 116, distended neck veins. Which diagnosis is best supported by these findings?

a. Endocarditis
b. Right-sided heart failure
c. Atrial fibrillation
d. Postoperative fluid overload

Answer 1

The signs are most consistent with right-sided heart failure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The signs that the nurse finds on assessment of her patient, including 3+ ankle edema, feet cool to the touch, heart rate 116, and distended neck veins, are most consistent with right-sided heart failure. Right-sided heart failure occurs when the right side of the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid accumulation in the body. The edema in the ankles, cool feet, elevated heart rate, and distended neck veins are all indicative of fluid overload.