Heart Failure Study Review Practice
Test.
A patient is admitted to the hospital with heart failure (HF). The nurse should monitor the patient for
what complications? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER Pleural effusion
2 Dysrhythmias
3 Hepatomegaly
4 Renal failure
pleural effusion occurs when excess fluid builds up in the pleural cavity of the lungs secondary to
increasing pressure in the pleural capillaries. Fluid then moves from these capillaries into the pleural
space. Chronic HF causes enlargement of the chambers of the heart. This enlargement can cause
changes in the normal electrical pathways. HF can lead to severe hepatomegaly. The liver becomes
congested with venous blood. The decreased cardiac output (CO) that accompanies chronic HF results in
decreased perfusion to the kidneys and can lead to renal insufficiency or failure.
A patient with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) develops hypotension and thiocyanate toxicity
after 48 hours of prescribed drug therapy. The nurse suspects that which medication is responsible for
this condition? - CORRECT ANSWER 1 Nesiritide
2 Milrinone
3 Spironolactone
4 Sodium nitroprusside Correct
Hypotension and thiocyanate toxicity are complications of sodium nitroprusside; they can develop after
48 hours of use. Nesiritide causes symptomatic hypotension. Milrinone complications include
,dysrhythmias, thrombocytopenia, and hepatotoxicity. Spironolactone complications include
hyperkalemia and gynecomastia in males (with long-term use).
Test-Taking Tip: Identifying content and what is being asked about that content is critical to your
choosing the correct response. Be alert for words in the stem of the item that are the same or similar in
nature to those in one or two of the options.
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure (HF). The nurse should
suspect digitalis toxicity if the patient reports which symptom? - CORRECT ANSWER 1 Anorexia Correct
2 Constipation
3 Restlessness
4 Muscle aches
Anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, depression, and visual changes are early signs of
toxicity. The nurse should become concerned and notify the health care provider if the patient exhibits
any of these symptoms. Muscle aches, constipation, and restlessness are not signs of digitalis toxicity.
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) who is receiving
intravenous (IV) milrinone. The nurse recognizes that this medication is beneficial because of what
effects it has on the body? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Increased diuresis
2 Dilation of renal blood vessels
3 Increased myocardial contractility Correct
4 Promotion of peripheral vasodilation Correct
5 Increased systemic vascular resistance
Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (also known as an inodilator). It increases myocardial
contractility (inotropic effect) and promotes peripheral vasodilation. Milrinone does not dilate renal
blood vessels and promote diuresis, nor does it increase systemic vascular resistance.
, What is the priority assessment of the nurse caring for a patient receiving intravenous nesiritide to treat
heart failure? - CORRECT ANSWER 1 Urine output
2 Lung sounds
3 Blood pressure Correct
4 Respiratory rate
Although urine output, lung sounds, and respiratory rate are appropriate for a patient receiving IV
nesiritide, the priority assessment would be monitoring for hypotension, the main adverse effect of
nesiritide.
What effect does nitroglycerin have on the body that benefits a patient with acute decompensated
heart failure (ADHF)? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER 1Reduces preload Correct
2Prevents dysrhythmias
3Prevents thromboembolism
4Dilates the coronary arteries Correct
5Increases myocardial oxygen supply Correct
The nurse recognizes what indications for cardiac transplantation? Select all that apply. - CORRECT
ANSWER 1 Angina pectoris
2 Myocardial ischemia
Test.
A patient is admitted to the hospital with heart failure (HF). The nurse should monitor the patient for
what complications? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER Pleural effusion
2 Dysrhythmias
3 Hepatomegaly
4 Renal failure
pleural effusion occurs when excess fluid builds up in the pleural cavity of the lungs secondary to
increasing pressure in the pleural capillaries. Fluid then moves from these capillaries into the pleural
space. Chronic HF causes enlargement of the chambers of the heart. This enlargement can cause
changes in the normal electrical pathways. HF can lead to severe hepatomegaly. The liver becomes
congested with venous blood. The decreased cardiac output (CO) that accompanies chronic HF results in
decreased perfusion to the kidneys and can lead to renal insufficiency or failure.
A patient with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) develops hypotension and thiocyanate toxicity
after 48 hours of prescribed drug therapy. The nurse suspects that which medication is responsible for
this condition? - CORRECT ANSWER 1 Nesiritide
2 Milrinone
3 Spironolactone
4 Sodium nitroprusside Correct
Hypotension and thiocyanate toxicity are complications of sodium nitroprusside; they can develop after
48 hours of use. Nesiritide causes symptomatic hypotension. Milrinone complications include
,dysrhythmias, thrombocytopenia, and hepatotoxicity. Spironolactone complications include
hyperkalemia and gynecomastia in males (with long-term use).
Test-Taking Tip: Identifying content and what is being asked about that content is critical to your
choosing the correct response. Be alert for words in the stem of the item that are the same or similar in
nature to those in one or two of the options.
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure (HF). The nurse should
suspect digitalis toxicity if the patient reports which symptom? - CORRECT ANSWER 1 Anorexia Correct
2 Constipation
3 Restlessness
4 Muscle aches
Anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, depression, and visual changes are early signs of
toxicity. The nurse should become concerned and notify the health care provider if the patient exhibits
any of these symptoms. Muscle aches, constipation, and restlessness are not signs of digitalis toxicity.
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) who is receiving
intravenous (IV) milrinone. The nurse recognizes that this medication is beneficial because of what
effects it has on the body? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Increased diuresis
2 Dilation of renal blood vessels
3 Increased myocardial contractility Correct
4 Promotion of peripheral vasodilation Correct
5 Increased systemic vascular resistance
Milrinone is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (also known as an inodilator). It increases myocardial
contractility (inotropic effect) and promotes peripheral vasodilation. Milrinone does not dilate renal
blood vessels and promote diuresis, nor does it increase systemic vascular resistance.
, What is the priority assessment of the nurse caring for a patient receiving intravenous nesiritide to treat
heart failure? - CORRECT ANSWER 1 Urine output
2 Lung sounds
3 Blood pressure Correct
4 Respiratory rate
Although urine output, lung sounds, and respiratory rate are appropriate for a patient receiving IV
nesiritide, the priority assessment would be monitoring for hypotension, the main adverse effect of
nesiritide.
What effect does nitroglycerin have on the body that benefits a patient with acute decompensated
heart failure (ADHF)? Select all that apply. - CORRECT ANSWER 1Reduces preload Correct
2Prevents dysrhythmias
3Prevents thromboembolism
4Dilates the coronary arteries Correct
5Increases myocardial oxygen supply Correct
The nurse recognizes what indications for cardiac transplantation? Select all that apply. - CORRECT
ANSWER 1 Angina pectoris
2 Myocardial ischemia
