Which of the following is a primary non-pharmacologic strategy to manage fluid status in heart failure?

• A. Sodium restriction and fluid management
• B. Regular endurance exercise program
• C. Potassium supplementation
• D. Immediate diuretic therapy alone

Answer: (A)

Controlling fluid status in heart failure hinges on reducing fluid overload through dietary choices and intake management. Limiting sodium lowers extracellular fluid volume because less salt drives less water retention, which reduces preload and edema. Pairing this with careful fluid management—monitoring daily intake and avoiding excessive fluids—helps prevent congestion and shortness of breath. Regular endurance exercise improves overall cardiovascular fitness and symptoms, but it doesn’t directly address fluid balance. Potassium supplementation focuses on electrolyte balance, not volume, and diuretics, while important, are pharmacologic rather than nonpharmacologic strategies. So, the best nonpharmacologic approach to managing fluid status is sodium restriction and fluid management.