The nurse should recognize which finding as a sign of decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion in a patient with heart failure?
1. reduced mental alertness
2. increased urine output
3. abdominal distention
4. strong peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: 1
A change in mentation is a common sign of decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion. Urine output would decrease and pulses would weaken. Abdominal distention is a sign of right-sided failure, which is a problem with venous return, not cardiac output or tissue perfusion.
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