A nurse on the cardiac step-down unit is preparing to discharge a patient with congestive heart failure. The nurse will educate the patient prior to discharge on strategies to prevent fluid volume excess. The nurse should include which of the following in the teaching?

Explanation

•Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) need to manage this condition at home with daily weight measurements. Patients should weigh each morning and report a weight increase of 2 or more pounds in 24 hours, or 5 or more pounds in 1 week.

•CHF patients require a low sodium diet with less than 2 grams of sodium in 24 hours daily to prevent fluid retention and edema.

•CHF patients also need to limit overall fluid intake to prevent overhydration which can contribute to fluid retention, edema, and shortness of breath.

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