What is the expected nursing action for a client with signs of fluid overload?

In the context of a client exhibiting signs of fluid overload, administering diuretics as prescribed is the most appropriate nursing action. Diuretics are medications designed to promote the excretion of water and electrolytes through urine, which can help alleviate the excess fluid burden in the body. This approach is fundamental in managing conditions such as heart failure, renal impairment, or other situations where fluid retention occurs.

When a client is experiencing fluid overload, their body is retaining more fluid than is necessary, which can lead to complications like edema, increased blood pressure, and respiratory issues. Administering diuretics facilitates the removal of this excess fluid, helping to restore a more balanced fluid status and alleviate associated symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling, and hypertension.

Other options, such as increasing sodium intake or encouraging fluid intake, would further exacerbate fluid retention and should be avoided in this scenario. Monitoring for signs of dehydration is not relevant in the context of fluid overload, as the concern is the opposite condition—excess fluid rather than fluid deficit. Thus, administering diuretics as prescribed directly addresses the issue of fluid overload effectively and safely.