NCLEX: Assessment of Cardiovascular Function Exam with Complete Solutions

NCLEX: Assessment of Cardiovascular Function Exam with Complete Solutions The nurse is discussing cardiac hemodynamics with a nursing student. The nurse explains preload to the student and then asks the student what nursing interventions might cause increased preload. The student correctly answers which of the following? Correct response: Application of antiembolytic stockings Explanation: Preload is the amount of blood presented to the ventricles just before systole. Anything that assists in returning blood to the heart (eg, antiembolytic stockings) or preventing blood from pooling in the extremities will increase preload. Anything that decreases the amount of blood returning to the heart will decrease preload, such as vasodilation or blood pooling in the extremities. Sixty six-year-old David Steiner is already being treated for hypertension. His doctor, concerned about the potential for heart failure, has him come back for check-ups regularly. What does hypertension have to do with heart failure? Correct response: Hypertension causes the heart's chambers to enlarge and weaken.