Heart Failure NCLEX Questions and Answers and
Rationale New Update (Verified Version 2025
A patient admitted with heart failure appears very anxious and complains of
shortness of breath. Which nursing actions would be appropriate to alleviate this
patient's anxiety (select all that apply)?
A. Administer ordered morphine sulfate.
B. Position patient in a semi-Fowler's position.
C. Position patient on left side with head of bed flat.
D. Instruct patient on the use of relaxation techniques.
E. Use a calm, reassuring approach while talking to patient. - ans -A, B, D, E.
Morphine sulfate reduces anxiety and may assist in reducing dyspnea. The patient
should be positioned in semi-Fowler's position to improve ventilation that will
reduce anxiety. Relaxation techniques and a calm reassuring approach will also
serve to reduce anxiety.
A male patient with a long-standing history of heart failure has recently qualified
for hospice care. What measure should the nurse now prioritize when providing
care for this patient?
A. Taper the patient off his current medications.
B. Continue education for the patient and his family.
C. Pursue experimental therapies or surgical options.
D. Choose interventions to promote comfort and prevent suffering. - ans -D.
Choose interventions to promote comfort and prevent suffering.
The central focus of hospice care is the promotion of comfort and the prevention
of suffering. Patient education should continue, but providing comfort is
paramount. Medications should be continued unless they are not tolerated.
Experimental therapies and surgeries are not commonly used in the care of
hospice patients.
What should the nurse recognize as an indication for the use of dopamine
(Intropin) in the care of a patient with heart failure?
, A. Acute anxiety
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Peripheral edema and weight gain
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) - ans -B. Hypotension and tachycardia
Dopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist whose inotropic action is used for treatment
of severe heart failure accompanied by hemodynamic instability. Such a state may
be indicated by tachycardia accompanied by hypotension. PND, anxiety, edema,
and weight gain are common signs and symptoms of heart failure, but these do
not necessarily warrant the use of dopamine.
A patient with a recent diagnosis of heart failure has been prescribed furosemide
(Lasix) in an effort to physiologically do what for the patient?
A. Reduce preload.
B. Decrease afterload.
C. Increase contractility.
D. Promote vasodilation. - ans -A. Reduce preload.
Diuretics such as furosemide are used in the treatment of HF to mobilize
edematous fluid, reduce pulmonary venous pressure, and reduce preload. They
do not directly influence afterload, contractility, or vessel tone.
A patient with a diagnosis of heart failure has been started on a nitroglycerin
patch by his primary care provider. What should this patient be taught to avoid?
A. High-potassium foods
B. Drugs to treat erectile dysfunction
C. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
D. Over-the-counter H2-receptor blockers - ans -B. Drugs to treat erectile
dysfunction
The use of erectile drugs concurrent with nitrates creates a risk of severe
hypotension and possibly death. High-potassium foods, NSAIDs, and H2-receptor
blockers do not pose a risk in combination with nitrates.
Rationale New Update (Verified Version 2025
A patient admitted with heart failure appears very anxious and complains of
shortness of breath. Which nursing actions would be appropriate to alleviate this
patient's anxiety (select all that apply)?
A. Administer ordered morphine sulfate.
B. Position patient in a semi-Fowler's position.
C. Position patient on left side with head of bed flat.
D. Instruct patient on the use of relaxation techniques.
E. Use a calm, reassuring approach while talking to patient. - ans -A, B, D, E.
Morphine sulfate reduces anxiety and may assist in reducing dyspnea. The patient
should be positioned in semi-Fowler's position to improve ventilation that will
reduce anxiety. Relaxation techniques and a calm reassuring approach will also
serve to reduce anxiety.
A male patient with a long-standing history of heart failure has recently qualified
for hospice care. What measure should the nurse now prioritize when providing
care for this patient?
A. Taper the patient off his current medications.
B. Continue education for the patient and his family.
C. Pursue experimental therapies or surgical options.
D. Choose interventions to promote comfort and prevent suffering. - ans -D.
Choose interventions to promote comfort and prevent suffering.
The central focus of hospice care is the promotion of comfort and the prevention
of suffering. Patient education should continue, but providing comfort is
paramount. Medications should be continued unless they are not tolerated.
Experimental therapies and surgeries are not commonly used in the care of
hospice patients.
What should the nurse recognize as an indication for the use of dopamine
(Intropin) in the care of a patient with heart failure?
, A. Acute anxiety
B. Hypotension and tachycardia
C. Peripheral edema and weight gain
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) - ans -B. Hypotension and tachycardia
Dopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist whose inotropic action is used for treatment
of severe heart failure accompanied by hemodynamic instability. Such a state may
be indicated by tachycardia accompanied by hypotension. PND, anxiety, edema,
and weight gain are common signs and symptoms of heart failure, but these do
not necessarily warrant the use of dopamine.
A patient with a recent diagnosis of heart failure has been prescribed furosemide
(Lasix) in an effort to physiologically do what for the patient?
A. Reduce preload.
B. Decrease afterload.
C. Increase contractility.
D. Promote vasodilation. - ans -A. Reduce preload.
Diuretics such as furosemide are used in the treatment of HF to mobilize
edematous fluid, reduce pulmonary venous pressure, and reduce preload. They
do not directly influence afterload, contractility, or vessel tone.
A patient with a diagnosis of heart failure has been started on a nitroglycerin
patch by his primary care provider. What should this patient be taught to avoid?
A. High-potassium foods
B. Drugs to treat erectile dysfunction
C. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
D. Over-the-counter H2-receptor blockers - ans -B. Drugs to treat erectile
dysfunction
The use of erectile drugs concurrent with nitrates creates a risk of severe
hypotension and possibly death. High-potassium foods, NSAIDs, and H2-receptor
blockers do not pose a risk in combination with nitrates.
