1
MDC III COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK FINAL EXAM 3 2026 -
2027|| ACTUAL STUDY GUIDE EXAM AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS COMPLETE REAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION
2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1–160)
Heart Failure (Questions 1–40)
1. A client is admitted with left-sided heart failure. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Frothy, blood-tinged sputum
C. Ascites
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, which
causes crackles, wheezing, pink-frothy sputum, orthopnea, and dyspnea.
Jugular vein distention, ascites, and hepatomegaly are signs of right-
sided heart failure.
2. The nurse is assessing a client with right-sided heart failure. Which
finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Crackles in the lung bases
B. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C. Dependent edema and JVD
D. Pink-frothy sputum
,2
Answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
leading to peripheral edema, jugular venous distention (JVD),
hepatomegaly, and ascites. Pulmonary symptoms are characteristic of
left-sided failure.
3. Which medication is a loop diuretic commonly prescribed for heart
failure?
A. Spironolactone
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Furosemide
D. Losartan
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that rapidly reduces
preload by promoting diuresis, relieving pulmonary congestion. Nurses
must monitor potassium and sodium levels and administer IV push slowly
over 1–2 minutes to avoid ototoxicity (tinnitus).
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which
parameter is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale:Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The nurse must
monitor potassium levels closely to prevent hyperkalemia.
,3
5. What is the most reliable indicator that a client with heart failure is
responding to diuretic therapy?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Daily weight loss
C. Increased urine output
D. Reduced edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid balance. A
weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) corresponds to approximately 1 liter of fluid
loss.
6. A client with heart failure has a BNP level of 1200 pg/mL. What does
this indicate?
A. The heart is functioning normally
B. The heart is stressed and HF is worsening
C. The client is dehydrated
D. The client has an infection
Answer: B
Rationale:BNP is released when the heart is stretched due to fluid
overload. Elevated BNP indicates worsening heart failure and is used to
guide diuretic therapy.
7. Which discharge teaching should the nurse include for a client with
heart failure? (Select all that apply.)
A. Monitor weight daily
B. Adhere to medication regimen
C. Limit activity completely
D. Avoid NSAIDs
E. Follow a low-sodium diet
, 4
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Clients with HF should monitor daily weights, take medications
as prescribed, avoid NSAIDs (which can cause fluid retention), and follow
a low-sodium diet. Activity should be encouraged within limits, not
completely restricted.
8. The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports difficulty
breathing when lying flat. Which term describes this condition?**
A. Orthopnea
B. Dyspnea
C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Tachypnea
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthopnea is shortness of breath that occurs when lying flat
and is relieved by sitting upright. It is a classic sign of left-sided heart
failure.
9. Which assessment finding indicates decreased cardiac output in a
client with heart failure?
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Confusion, hypotension, and tachycardia
C. Increased urine output
D. Warm, flushed extremities
MDC III COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK FINAL EXAM 3 2026 -
2027|| ACTUAL STUDY GUIDE EXAM AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS COMPLETE REAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100% CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION
2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1–160)
Heart Failure (Questions 1–40)
1. A client is admitted with left-sided heart failure. Which clinical
manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Frothy, blood-tinged sputum
C. Ascites
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, which
causes crackles, wheezing, pink-frothy sputum, orthopnea, and dyspnea.
Jugular vein distention, ascites, and hepatomegaly are signs of right-
sided heart failure.
2. The nurse is assessing a client with right-sided heart failure. Which
finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Crackles in the lung bases
B. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C. Dependent edema and JVD
D. Pink-frothy sputum
,2
Answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
leading to peripheral edema, jugular venous distention (JVD),
hepatomegaly, and ascites. Pulmonary symptoms are characteristic of
left-sided failure.
3. Which medication is a loop diuretic commonly prescribed for heart
failure?
A. Spironolactone
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Furosemide
D. Losartan
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that rapidly reduces
preload by promoting diuresis, relieving pulmonary congestion. Nurses
must monitor potassium and sodium levels and administer IV push slowly
over 1–2 minutes to avoid ototoxicity (tinnitus).
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which
parameter is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale:Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The nurse must
monitor potassium levels closely to prevent hyperkalemia.
,3
5. What is the most reliable indicator that a client with heart failure is
responding to diuretic therapy?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Daily weight loss
C. Increased urine output
D. Reduced edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid balance. A
weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) corresponds to approximately 1 liter of fluid
loss.
6. A client with heart failure has a BNP level of 1200 pg/mL. What does
this indicate?
A. The heart is functioning normally
B. The heart is stressed and HF is worsening
C. The client is dehydrated
D. The client has an infection
Answer: B
Rationale:BNP is released when the heart is stretched due to fluid
overload. Elevated BNP indicates worsening heart failure and is used to
guide diuretic therapy.
7. Which discharge teaching should the nurse include for a client with
heart failure? (Select all that apply.)
A. Monitor weight daily
B. Adhere to medication regimen
C. Limit activity completely
D. Avoid NSAIDs
E. Follow a low-sodium diet
, 4
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Clients with HF should monitor daily weights, take medications
as prescribed, avoid NSAIDs (which can cause fluid retention), and follow
a low-sodium diet. Activity should be encouraged within limits, not
completely restricted.
8. The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports difficulty
breathing when lying flat. Which term describes this condition?**
A. Orthopnea
B. Dyspnea
C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. Tachypnea
Answer: A
Rationale: Orthopnea is shortness of breath that occurs when lying flat
and is relieved by sitting upright. It is a classic sign of left-sided heart
failure.
9. Which assessment finding indicates decreased cardiac output in a
client with heart failure?
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Confusion, hypotension, and tachycardia
C. Increased urine output
D. Warm, flushed extremities
