Manitoba Nephrology Nurse Practice Test

Monitoring weight and edema is a crucial method for a nephrology nurse to assess for fluid overload in patients. Weight changes can indicate fluid retention; for instance, a sudden increase in weight over a short period can suggest that the patient is retaining excess fluid. This rapid shift is often a key indicator of fluid overload, particularly in patients with kidney issues.

Assessing for edema involves observing for swelling in various parts of the body, such as the lower extremities, abdomen, and face. Edema is a physical manifestation of fluid accumulation and can vary from mild to severe. These assessments provide the nurse with valuable information about the patient's fluid status and guide further interventions or adjustments in treatment plans.

The other options focus on aspects that are not directly related to assessing fluid overload. For instance, checking cholesterol levels is more relevant to cardiovascular health rather than fluid status. Obtaining family history may help in understanding genetic predispositions to certain conditions but does not directly inform the nurse about the patient's current fluid state. Similarly, genetic testing is usually reserved for evaluating hereditary conditions and does not play a role in the immediate assessment of fluid overload.