NU372 Prep: Heart Failure Test
Questions with Guaranteed Pass
Solutions 2025 Update.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with heart failure preparing to leave the
following day. What type of diet should the nurse request the dietitian to discuss with the
client?
a) Low-fat diet
b) Low-potassium diet
c) Low-cholesterol diet
d) Low-sodium diet - Answer d) Low-sodium diet
-
Medical management of both left-sided and right-sided heart failure is directed at reducing the
heart's workload and improving cardiac output primarily through dietary modifications, drug
therapy, and lifestyle changes. A low-sodium diet is prescribed, and fluids may be restricted.
Because the client will be on a diuretic such as Lasix, he may become potassium depleted and
would need potassium in the diet. A low-cholesterol and low-fat diet may be ordered but are
not specific to the heart failure.
A patient is prescribed digitalis preparations. Which of the following conditions should the nurse
closely monitor when caring for the patient?
a) Vasculitis
b) Potassium levels
c) Flexion contractures
d) Enlargement of joints - Answer b) Potassium levels
-
A key concern associated with digoxin therapy is digitalis toxicity. Clinical manifestations of
toxicity include anorexia, nausea, visual disturbances, confusion, and bradycardia. The serum
potassium level is monitored because the effect of digoxin is enhanced in the presence of
hypokalemia and digoxin toxicity may occur.
Which diagnostic study is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis of heart failure?
a) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
, An echocardiogram is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis of heart failure. ECG, serum
electrolytes, and a BUN are usually completed during the initial workup.
In circulatory shock, the adrenergic (or sympathetic) nervous system is activated. The nurse
knows that stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors will result in which responses? Select all
that apply.
a) Increased force of myocardial contraction
b) Increase in heart rate
c) Vasoconstriction in many vascular beds
d) Vasodilation of the skeletal muscle vascular bed
e) Dilation of the bronchioles - Answer d) Vasodilation of the skeletal muscle vascular bed
e) Dilation of the bronchioles
-
Stimulation of beta-2 receptors causes vasodilation of skeletal muscle vasculature and dilation
of the bronchioles. Stimulation of beta-1 receptors will increase heart rate and force of
myocardial contraction. Stimulation of alpha-1 receptors causes vasoconstriction in many
vascular beds.
A nurse is required to monitor a client for right ventricular dysfunction. Which would the nurse
most commonly assess?
a) Pitting edema
b) Dyspnea
c) Orthopnea
d) Hacking cough - Answer a) Pitting edema
-
One of the most common symptoms associated with right ventricular dysfunction is pitting
edema. The other symptoms of right ventricular dysfunction are nocturia, anorexia, weight gain,
and weakness. Dyspnea, orthopnea, and hacking cough are the symptoms associated with left
ventricular dysfunction, and not right ventricular dysfunction.
The nurse completes an assessment of a client admitted with a diagnosis of right-sided heart
failure. What will be a significant clinical finding related to right-sided heart failure?
Questions with Guaranteed Pass
Solutions 2025 Update.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with heart failure preparing to leave the
following day. What type of diet should the nurse request the dietitian to discuss with the
client?
a) Low-fat diet
b) Low-potassium diet
c) Low-cholesterol diet
d) Low-sodium diet - Answer d) Low-sodium diet
-
Medical management of both left-sided and right-sided heart failure is directed at reducing the
heart's workload and improving cardiac output primarily through dietary modifications, drug
therapy, and lifestyle changes. A low-sodium diet is prescribed, and fluids may be restricted.
Because the client will be on a diuretic such as Lasix, he may become potassium depleted and
would need potassium in the diet. A low-cholesterol and low-fat diet may be ordered but are
not specific to the heart failure.
A patient is prescribed digitalis preparations. Which of the following conditions should the nurse
closely monitor when caring for the patient?
a) Vasculitis
b) Potassium levels
c) Flexion contractures
d) Enlargement of joints - Answer b) Potassium levels
-
A key concern associated with digoxin therapy is digitalis toxicity. Clinical manifestations of
toxicity include anorexia, nausea, visual disturbances, confusion, and bradycardia. The serum
potassium level is monitored because the effect of digoxin is enhanced in the presence of
hypokalemia and digoxin toxicity may occur.
Which diagnostic study is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis of heart failure?
a) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
, An echocardiogram is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis of heart failure. ECG, serum
electrolytes, and a BUN are usually completed during the initial workup.
In circulatory shock, the adrenergic (or sympathetic) nervous system is activated. The nurse
knows that stimulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors will result in which responses? Select all
that apply.
a) Increased force of myocardial contraction
b) Increase in heart rate
c) Vasoconstriction in many vascular beds
d) Vasodilation of the skeletal muscle vascular bed
e) Dilation of the bronchioles - Answer d) Vasodilation of the skeletal muscle vascular bed
e) Dilation of the bronchioles
-
Stimulation of beta-2 receptors causes vasodilation of skeletal muscle vasculature and dilation
of the bronchioles. Stimulation of beta-1 receptors will increase heart rate and force of
myocardial contraction. Stimulation of alpha-1 receptors causes vasoconstriction in many
vascular beds.
A nurse is required to monitor a client for right ventricular dysfunction. Which would the nurse
most commonly assess?
a) Pitting edema
b) Dyspnea
c) Orthopnea
d) Hacking cough - Answer a) Pitting edema
-
One of the most common symptoms associated with right ventricular dysfunction is pitting
edema. The other symptoms of right ventricular dysfunction are nocturia, anorexia, weight gain,
and weakness. Dyspnea, orthopnea, and hacking cough are the symptoms associated with left
ventricular dysfunction, and not right ventricular dysfunction.
The nurse completes an assessment of a client admitted with a diagnosis of right-sided heart
failure. What will be a significant clinical finding related to right-sided heart failure?
