NURS 480 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS | NEW UPDATE 2025
left-sided heart failure - ANSWER pulmonary congestion occurs when the left
ventricle cannot effectively pump into the aorta
manifestations of left-sided heart failure - ANSWER dyspnea
cough
crackles
low O2 sats
S3 (ventricular gallop)
right-sided heart failure - ANSWER congestion in peripheral tissue and viscera
manifestations of right-sided heart failure - ANSWER JVD
dependent edema
pitting edema
hepatomegaly (tenderness in RUQ)
ascites
congestive heart failure - ANSWER a fluid overload condition associated with
heart failure
,abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) - ANSWER typically caused by congenital
weakness, trauma or diseae
risk factors:
- genetic predisposition
- nicotine use
- hypertension
AAA manifestations - ANSWER complaint of heart beating in abdomen when
lying down
abdominal mass or abdominal throbbing
cyanosis and mottling of toes
AAA - signs of impending rupture - ANSWER severe back or abdominal pain
- localized pain in middle or lower abdomen
- intense back pain
falling BP
decreasing hematocrit
diagnostics for AAA - ANSWER pulsatile mass in middle and upper abdomen
ultrasound
CTA
management of AAA - ANSWER pharmacologic:
- manage hypertension
,endovascular/surgical:
- open surgical repair
- endovascular grafting
manifestations of pulmonary edema - ANSWER anxiety
inability to sleep
persistent cough
- pink, frothy sputum
tachypnea
hypoxemia
cyanosis
crackles
tachycardia
reduced urine output
confusion
S3
health promotion - pulmonary edema - ANSWER physical activity
low sodium
refrain from tobacco
nursing care for pulmonary edema - ANSWER high Fowler's
- feet and legs dependent or sitting on side of bed
high flow O2
, monitor vitals every 15 minutes
monitor I&Os
check ABGs, electrolytes, SaO2
maintain airway
restrict fluid intake
monitor hourly urine output
medications for pulmonary edema - ANSWER rapid acting diuretics
morphine
vasodilators
digoxin
decompensated heart failure - ANSWER failing myocardium is no longer able to
propel sufficient blood to meet the needs of the body, even at rest
central venous pressure (CVP) - ANSWER measurement of the pressure in vena
cava or right atrium
reflects the filing pressure of the right ventricle
normal range is 2-6
preferred site is subclavian vein
CVP monitoring - ANSWER most valuable when it is monitored over time
greater than 6 mm Hg indicates elevated right ventricular preload
- usually from hypervolemia
less than 2 mm HG indicates hypovolemia
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS | NEW UPDATE 2025
left-sided heart failure - ANSWER pulmonary congestion occurs when the left
ventricle cannot effectively pump into the aorta
manifestations of left-sided heart failure - ANSWER dyspnea
cough
crackles
low O2 sats
S3 (ventricular gallop)
right-sided heart failure - ANSWER congestion in peripheral tissue and viscera
manifestations of right-sided heart failure - ANSWER JVD
dependent edema
pitting edema
hepatomegaly (tenderness in RUQ)
ascites
congestive heart failure - ANSWER a fluid overload condition associated with
heart failure
,abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) - ANSWER typically caused by congenital
weakness, trauma or diseae
risk factors:
- genetic predisposition
- nicotine use
- hypertension
AAA manifestations - ANSWER complaint of heart beating in abdomen when
lying down
abdominal mass or abdominal throbbing
cyanosis and mottling of toes
AAA - signs of impending rupture - ANSWER severe back or abdominal pain
- localized pain in middle or lower abdomen
- intense back pain
falling BP
decreasing hematocrit
diagnostics for AAA - ANSWER pulsatile mass in middle and upper abdomen
ultrasound
CTA
management of AAA - ANSWER pharmacologic:
- manage hypertension
,endovascular/surgical:
- open surgical repair
- endovascular grafting
manifestations of pulmonary edema - ANSWER anxiety
inability to sleep
persistent cough
- pink, frothy sputum
tachypnea
hypoxemia
cyanosis
crackles
tachycardia
reduced urine output
confusion
S3
health promotion - pulmonary edema - ANSWER physical activity
low sodium
refrain from tobacco
nursing care for pulmonary edema - ANSWER high Fowler's
- feet and legs dependent or sitting on side of bed
high flow O2
, monitor vitals every 15 minutes
monitor I&Os
check ABGs, electrolytes, SaO2
maintain airway
restrict fluid intake
monitor hourly urine output
medications for pulmonary edema - ANSWER rapid acting diuretics
morphine
vasodilators
digoxin
decompensated heart failure - ANSWER failing myocardium is no longer able to
propel sufficient blood to meet the needs of the body, even at rest
central venous pressure (CVP) - ANSWER measurement of the pressure in vena
cava or right atrium
reflects the filing pressure of the right ventricle
normal range is 2-6
preferred site is subclavian vein
CVP monitoring - ANSWER most valuable when it is monitored over time
greater than 6 mm Hg indicates elevated right ventricular preload
- usually from hypervolemia
less than 2 mm HG indicates hypovolemia
