2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
CHFSP Exam – Congestive Heart Failure
Practice Questions 2 VERSIONS
1. A client with CHF has dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. These
symptoms indicate:
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Acute MI
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided HF leads to pulmonary congestion, causing dyspnea and orthopnea.
2. A client with CHF has JVD, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema. This indicates:
A. Right-sided heart failure
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Acute MI
D. Hypertension only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Right-sided HF causes systemic venous congestion (JVD, liver, and peripheral edema).
3. A client with CHF is prescribed furosemide. The nurse monitors for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperglycemia only
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss; monitor for weakness and arrhythmias.
4. A client reports sudden weight gain of 3 lb in 2 days. The nurse should:
A. Notify the provider
B. Encourage activity only
,2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
C. Document and continue monitoring
D. Restrict fluids only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention; prompt provider notification is necessary.
5. Which lab value is most important to monitor in CHF?
A. BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)
B. WBC
C. Hemoglobin only
D. Platelets
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: BNP rises in response to ventricular stretch; it helps assess HF severity.
6. A client with CHF is prescribed digoxin. What should the nurse assess before
administration?
A. Apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Blood glucose
C. Respiratory rate only
D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; hold if apical pulse <60 bpm in adults.
7. A client with CHF has crackles in the lungs. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Pulmonary congestion
B. Peripheral edema only
C. Normal finding
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid in alveoli from left-sided HF.
8. A client with CHF is prescribed ACE inhibitors. Nurse should monitor for:
A. Hypotension and hyperkalemia
B. Hypertension only
,2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
C. Hypokalemia only
D. Bradycardia only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors lower BP and can increase potassium.
9. A client with CHF is prescribed a low-sodium diet. This is to:
A. Reduce fluid retention
B. Increase energy
C. Prevent anemia
D. Enhance digoxin absorption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium restriction reduces fluid overload and edema.
10. A client reports fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance. Which is the priority
intervention?
A. Assess for worsening HF symptoms
B. Schedule routine labs only
C. Encourage strict bed rest
D. Provide high-salt diet
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue may indicate worsening cardiac output; assess promptly.
11. A client with CHF and pulmonary edema should be positioned:
A. Upright with legs dangling
B. Supine
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Upright position promotes lung expansion and eases breathing.
12. The nurse educates a CHF client to report which early signs of exacerbation?
A. Weight gain, edema, dyspnea
B. Headache only
, 2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
C. Constipation only
D. Mild thirst
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early recognition of fluid retention prevents hospitalization.
13. A client with CHF is taking spironolactone. Nurse should monitor for:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyponatremia only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing; monitor potassium levels.
14. A CHF client experiences nocturia. This occurs because:
A. Fluid shifts from edema at night
B. Increased sodium intake only
C. Kidney failure only
D. Low cardiac output
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Supine position mobilizes peripheral edema, increasing nighttime urine output.
15. A nurse teaches the client to monitor weight daily. Which statement is correct?
A. “Notify the provider if you gain >2 lb in 1 day or >5 lb in a week.”
B. “Weight changes are not important.”
C. “Only weigh weekly.”
D. “Record weight once a month.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring detects early fluid retention.
16. A client has CHF and SOB at rest. The nurse assesses for:
A. Pulmonary edema and hypoxia
B. Hypertension only
CHFSP Exam – Congestive Heart Failure
Practice Questions 2 VERSIONS
1. A client with CHF has dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. These
symptoms indicate:
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Acute MI
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Left-sided HF leads to pulmonary congestion, causing dyspnea and orthopnea.
2. A client with CHF has JVD, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema. This indicates:
A. Right-sided heart failure
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Acute MI
D. Hypertension only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Right-sided HF causes systemic venous congestion (JVD, liver, and peripheral edema).
3. A client with CHF is prescribed furosemide. The nurse monitors for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperglycemia only
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss; monitor for weakness and arrhythmias.
4. A client reports sudden weight gain of 3 lb in 2 days. The nurse should:
A. Notify the provider
B. Encourage activity only
,2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
C. Document and continue monitoring
D. Restrict fluids only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention; prompt provider notification is necessary.
5. Which lab value is most important to monitor in CHF?
A. BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide)
B. WBC
C. Hemoglobin only
D. Platelets
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: BNP rises in response to ventricular stretch; it helps assess HF severity.
6. A client with CHF is prescribed digoxin. What should the nurse assess before
administration?
A. Apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Blood glucose
C. Respiratory rate only
D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; hold if apical pulse <60 bpm in adults.
7. A client with CHF has crackles in the lungs. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Pulmonary congestion
B. Peripheral edema only
C. Normal finding
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid in alveoli from left-sided HF.
8. A client with CHF is prescribed ACE inhibitors. Nurse should monitor for:
A. Hypotension and hyperkalemia
B. Hypertension only
,2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
C. Hypokalemia only
D. Bradycardia only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors lower BP and can increase potassium.
9. A client with CHF is prescribed a low-sodium diet. This is to:
A. Reduce fluid retention
B. Increase energy
C. Prevent anemia
D. Enhance digoxin absorption
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium restriction reduces fluid overload and edema.
10. A client reports fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance. Which is the priority
intervention?
A. Assess for worsening HF symptoms
B. Schedule routine labs only
C. Encourage strict bed rest
D. Provide high-salt diet
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fatigue may indicate worsening cardiac output; assess promptly.
11. A client with CHF and pulmonary edema should be positioned:
A. Upright with legs dangling
B. Supine
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Upright position promotes lung expansion and eases breathing.
12. The nurse educates a CHF client to report which early signs of exacerbation?
A. Weight gain, edema, dyspnea
B. Headache only
, 2026 GRADED A+ UPDATED FOR 2026/2027
C. Constipation only
D. Mild thirst
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early recognition of fluid retention prevents hospitalization.
13. A client with CHF is taking spironolactone. Nurse should monitor for:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyponatremia only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing; monitor potassium levels.
14. A CHF client experiences nocturia. This occurs because:
A. Fluid shifts from edema at night
B. Increased sodium intake only
C. Kidney failure only
D. Low cardiac output
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Supine position mobilizes peripheral edema, increasing nighttime urine output.
15. A nurse teaches the client to monitor weight daily. Which statement is correct?
A. “Notify the provider if you gain >2 lb in 1 day or >5 lb in a week.”
B. “Weight changes are not important.”
C. “Only weigh weekly.”
D. “Record weight once a month.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring detects early fluid retention.
16. A client has CHF and SOB at rest. The nurse assesses for:
A. Pulmonary edema and hypoxia
B. Hypertension only
