A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which symptoms would indicate worsening fluid overload?

Worsening HEART FAILURE / FLUID OVERLOAD signs include: SUDDEN WEIGHT GAIN (the most sensitive early indicator — fluid retention; a gain of 2-3 lbs in a day or 5 lbs in a week should be reported); increased SHORTNESS OF BREATH (dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea); EDEMA (swelling, especially legs/ankles); CRACKLES (rales) in the lungs (pulmonary congestion); jugular vein distension; fatigue; cough. NCLEX physiological/cardiac. TEACHING: weigh daily (same time, same scale, same clothing) and report rapid gains; low-sodium diet; take medications (diuretics, etc.); monitor symptoms. Daily weight is the key self-monitoring tool. Recognizing worsening heart failure (especially sudden weight gain) is a commonly tested NCLEX concept.