A patient newly diagnosed with left-sided heart failure is admitted to the hospital. The nurse will observe this patient closely for:

Choice A reason: This is not a sign of left-sided heart failure. Jugular vein distension is a sign of right-sided heart failure, which occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the lungs. Choice B reason: This is not a sign of left-sided heart failure. Increased blood pressure is a risk factor for developing heart failure, but it does not indicate the severity or location of the heart failure. Choice C reason: This is not a sign of left-sided heart failure. Hepatomegaly is a sign of right-sided heart failure, which occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the systemic circulation. Choice D reason: This is a sign of left-sided heart failure. Decreased urine output is a result of reduced renal perfusion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the aorta and the rest of the body.