Questions: Which assessment is the priority of the nurse caring for a patient receiving IV nesiritide for treatment of heart failure? Urinary output Lung sounds Blood pressure Respiratory rate

The answer is Blood pressure.

While monitoring urinary output is important in assessing kidney function and fluid balance, it is not the primary concern when administering nesiritide. Nesiritide can cause diuresis, but the immediate priority is to monitor for potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.

Lung sounds are important to assess for signs of fluid overload or pulmonary edema in heart failure patients. However, nesiritide primarily affects blood pressure, so monitoring lung sounds is not the top priority.

Nesiritide is a vasodilator used to treat acute decompensated heart failure, and it can cause significant hypotension. Therefore, monitoring blood pressure is the priority to ensure the patient does not experience dangerously low blood pressure levels.

While respiratory rate is an important vital sign to monitor, it is not directly affected by nesiritide. The primary concern with nesiritide administration is its impact on blood pressure.