A patient admitted with acute dyspnea is newly diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Which information will the nurse plan to teach the patient about managing this disorder?
a. A heart transplant should be scheduled as soon as possible.
b. Elevating the legs above the heart will help relieve dyspnea.
c. Careful compliance with diet and medications will prevent heart failure.
d. Notify the doctor about any symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath.
ANS: D
The patient should be instructed to notify the health care provider about any worsening of heart failure symptoms. Because dilated cardiomyopathy does not respond well to therapy, even patients with good compliance with therapy may have recurrent episodes of heart failure. Elevation of the legs above the heart will worsen symptoms (although this approach is appropriate for a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). The patient with terminal or end-stage cardiomyopathy may consider heart transplantation.
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