What should a nurse do after discovering crackles in the lungs of a client with heart failure?

After discovering crackles in the lungs of a client with heart failure, notifying the primary healthcare provider is a crucial step. This action is important because crackles can indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs, which may suggest worsening heart failure or pulmonary edema. Prompt communication with the healthcare provider ensures that appropriate interventions, including potential adjustments in medication or further diagnostic testing, can be initiated to manage the client’s condition effectively.

While administering oxygen could seem beneficial and may be necessary based on the client's overall respiratory status, it is typically not the first step without a thorough assessment and orders from the primary healthcare provider. Providing reassurance and referring to a specialist may play roles in the client's overall care, but they do not address the immediate need for medical intervention that arises from the finding of crackles. Therefore, notifying the primary healthcare provider is the most appropriate and urgent action to take in this scenario.