What position should a nurse place a client with left-sided heart failure to alleviate symptoms?

For a client with left-sided heart failure, placing them in a high Fowler's position is effective in alleviating symptoms. This position involves the client sitting upright at a 60 to 90-degree angle, which promotes better lung expansion and helps to decrease venous return to the heart. By doing so, it can relieve symptoms such as dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and orthopnea (shortness of breath when lying flat) that are commonly experienced by individuals with heart failure due to pulmonary congestion.

In this position, gravity aids in reducing the amount of blood returning to the heart, thereby easing the workload on the heart. Additionally, it enables better oxygenation and facilitates easier breathing, making it a preferred position for managing respiratory distress in this patient population.

Other positions, such as lying supine or prone, would not provide the same beneficial effects for a client experiencing heart failure symptoms. Supine might exacerbate dyspnea by allowing fluid to pool in the lungs, and a prone position could further compromise lung expansion. A sitting position is beneficial, but high Fowler's is optimal for maximum symptomatic relief in left-sided heart failure.