A 53-year-old patient with Stage D heart failure and type 2 diabetes asks the nurse whether heart transplant is a possible therapy. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. "Because you have diabetes, you would not be a candidate for a heart transplant."
b. "The choice of a patient for a heart transplant depends on many different factors."
c. "Your heart failure has not reached the stage in which heart transplants are needed."
d. "People who have heart transplants are at risk for multiple complications after surgery."
ANS: B
Indications for a heart transplant include end-stage heart failure (Stage D), but other factors such as coping skills, family support, and patient motivation to follow the rigorous posttransplant regimen are also considered. Diabetic patients who have well-controlled blood glucose levels may be candidates for heart transplant. Although heart transplants can be associated with many complications, this response does not address the patient's question.
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