A PCT is caring for a patient who has congestive heart failure (CHF). Which finding should be reported to the nurse immediately?

Swelling in the legs and feet is a significant finding that should be reported to the nurse immediately for a patient with congestive heart failure (CHF). This condition often leads to fluid buildup in the body because the heart is unable to pump efficiently. Peripheral edema, or swelling, is a common symptom of worsening heart failure, indicating that the patient’s condition may be deteriorating. It can reflect an increase in fluid retention, which requires prompt assessment and potential intervention by the healthcare team.

In contrast, while changes in appetite, weight fluctuations, and urinary output can be monitored as part of the patient’s overall management of CHF, they do not carry the same urgency as edema. Such changes might suggest adjustments in treatment or management but are generally not as immediately critical to address as signs of acute fluid overload, which manifest as swelling.