HEART FAILURE FINAL REVIEW SCRIPT
2026 TESTED QUESTIONS CORRECT
RESPONSES
● 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? 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? 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. 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? 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.
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. Answer: 1 Angina pectoris
2 Myocardial ischemia
3 Severe, decompensated, inoperable, valvular disease
Correct
4 End stage heart failure (HF) refractory to medical care
Correct
2026 TESTED QUESTIONS CORRECT
RESPONSES
● 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? 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? 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. 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? 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.
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. Answer: 1 Angina pectoris
2 Myocardial ischemia
3 Severe, decompensated, inoperable, valvular disease
Correct
4 End stage heart failure (HF) refractory to medical care
Correct
