A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching about limiting sodium intake with a client who has a new diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. Which of the following client responses indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "I can have mustard on my sandwiches.": Mustard is high in sodium and can contribute significantly to daily sodium intake, which is contraindicated for clients with cardiomyopathy who need to limit sodium to reduce fluid retention and cardiac workload. B. "I can season foods with celery salt.": Celery salt contains sodium and is not an appropriate seasoning for clients on a low-sodium diet. Using it can exacerbate fluid retention, hypertension, and worsening heart failure symptoms. C. "I can eat frozen juice bar for dessert.": Many frozen juice bars are low in sodium and suitable for a heart-healthy, low-sodium diet. Choosing these types of snacks helps the client manage fluid balance and cardiac workload effectively. D. "I can drink vegetable juice with my meals.": Most commercial vegetable juices are very high in sodium, making them inappropriate for clients who need to restrict sodium intake. Consuming these can lead to fluid retention and increased cardiac strain.