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Nursing 354 Heart Failure Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion and crackles.
Question 2
Which symptom is most commonly associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Pink frothy sputum
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Orthopnea
,Answer: Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
commonly producing dependent peripheral edema.
Question 3
Which assessment finding should the nurse recognize as an early manifestation of
heart failure?
A. Severe cyanosis
B. Activity intolerance
C. Ascites
D. Severe hypotension
Answer: Activity intolerance
Rationale: Reduced cardiac output decreases tissue oxygen delivery and
commonly causes fatigue and activity intolerance early in heart failure.
Question 4
A client with heart failure reports difficulty breathing when lying flat. Which term
describes this finding?
A. Apnea
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Hemoptysis
Answer: Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is commonly
associated with pulmonary congestion from heart failure.
Question 5
Which laboratory value is commonly used to support the diagnosis of heart
failure?
,A. Troponin
B. Hemoglobin
C. B-type natriuretic peptide
D. Serum amylase
Answer: B-type natriuretic peptide
Rationale: B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP, is released when the cardiac
ventricles are stretched and is commonly elevated in heart failure.
Question 6
Which mechanism contributes directly to edema in a client with right-sided heart
failure?
A. Decreased systemic venous pressure
B. Increased systemic venous pressure
C. Increased pulmonary ventilation
D. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Answer: Increased systemic venous pressure
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
increasing hydrostatic pressure and promoting fluid movement into tissues.
Question 7
Which daily assessment is most important for detecting fluid retention in a client
with heart failure?
A. Height
B. Daily weight
C. Visual acuity
D. Abdominal circumference only
Answer: Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weight is a sensitive indicator of changes in fluid balance and
can identify fluid retention before severe edema develops.
, Question 8
The nurse teaches a client with heart failure to weigh themselves every morning.
Which instruction is best?
A. Weigh after breakfast
B. Weigh at different times each day
C. Weigh at the same time using the same scale
D. Weigh only when edema develops
Answer: Weigh at the same time using the same scale
Rationale: Consistent timing and equipment improve the accuracy of daily
weight comparisons.
Question 9
A client with heart failure gains 2 kilograms in 3 days. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Improved cardiac function
B. Fluid retention
C. Dehydration
D. Reduced sodium intake
Answer: Fluid retention
Rationale: A rapid increase in weight over several days usually indicates fluid
accumulation rather than an increase in body tissue.
Question 10
Which diet instruction is most appropriate for many clients with heart failure?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Follow a sodium-restricted diet
C. Avoid all carbohydrates
D. Increase processed foods
Answer: Follow a sodium-restricted diet
Nursing 354 Heart Failure Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion and crackles.
Question 2
Which symptom is most commonly associated with right-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Pink frothy sputum
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Orthopnea
,Answer: Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
commonly producing dependent peripheral edema.
Question 3
Which assessment finding should the nurse recognize as an early manifestation of
heart failure?
A. Severe cyanosis
B. Activity intolerance
C. Ascites
D. Severe hypotension
Answer: Activity intolerance
Rationale: Reduced cardiac output decreases tissue oxygen delivery and
commonly causes fatigue and activity intolerance early in heart failure.
Question 4
A client with heart failure reports difficulty breathing when lying flat. Which term
describes this finding?
A. Apnea
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Hemoptysis
Answer: Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is commonly
associated with pulmonary congestion from heart failure.
Question 5
Which laboratory value is commonly used to support the diagnosis of heart
failure?
,A. Troponin
B. Hemoglobin
C. B-type natriuretic peptide
D. Serum amylase
Answer: B-type natriuretic peptide
Rationale: B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP, is released when the cardiac
ventricles are stretched and is commonly elevated in heart failure.
Question 6
Which mechanism contributes directly to edema in a client with right-sided heart
failure?
A. Decreased systemic venous pressure
B. Increased systemic venous pressure
C. Increased pulmonary ventilation
D. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Answer: Increased systemic venous pressure
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion,
increasing hydrostatic pressure and promoting fluid movement into tissues.
Question 7
Which daily assessment is most important for detecting fluid retention in a client
with heart failure?
A. Height
B. Daily weight
C. Visual acuity
D. Abdominal circumference only
Answer: Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weight is a sensitive indicator of changes in fluid balance and
can identify fluid retention before severe edema develops.
, Question 8
The nurse teaches a client with heart failure to weigh themselves every morning.
Which instruction is best?
A. Weigh after breakfast
B. Weigh at different times each day
C. Weigh at the same time using the same scale
D. Weigh only when edema develops
Answer: Weigh at the same time using the same scale
Rationale: Consistent timing and equipment improve the accuracy of daily
weight comparisons.
Question 9
A client with heart failure gains 2 kilograms in 3 days. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Improved cardiac function
B. Fluid retention
C. Dehydration
D. Reduced sodium intake
Answer: Fluid retention
Rationale: A rapid increase in weight over several days usually indicates fluid
accumulation rather than an increase in body tissue.
Question 10
Which diet instruction is most appropriate for many clients with heart failure?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Follow a sodium-restricted diet
C. Avoid all carbohydrates
D. Increase processed foods
Answer: Follow a sodium-restricted diet
