NUR 172 FINAL EXAM Test Bank New Updated Version 2026
Questions And Correct Verified Answers
do people with hypertension have symptoms? if so, what symptoms? - answer-most people do not have symptoms,
may only have a headache or dizziness
how do you assess a patient after a cardiac angiography? - answer-assess color, temp, and pulses of legs in which
femoral artery was used
what does cardiac catheterization increase the risk for and what do you need to look for? - answer-increases the risk
for cardiovascular accident (CVA, stroke); need to look for changes in neurologic status (i.e. slurred speech and
confusion), also bruising and discomfort at site
what are important questions to ask/tests to run BEFORE a patient has a cardiac catheterization? -answer-ask if
they are allergic to seafood or iodine, check BUN for kidney function; patient may get IV fluid 12-24 hours before the test
or during the test
can you have left sided and right sided heart failure at the same time? - answer-yes (can have one or both)
preload increases or decreases with the decrease of contractility? - answer-preload INCREASES with the decrease of
contractility
afterload increases or decreases as a result of increased peripheral resistance? - answer-afterload INCREASES
as a result of increased peripheral resistance
Most heart failure begins with failure of the and progresses to failure of both ventricles-answer-
left ventricle
what are the typical causes of L sided heart failure? - answer-hypertension, coronary artery disease, and valvular
disease
,what is a key indicator of L sided heart failure? - answer-decreased tissue perfusion
L sided heart failure can be broken down into two subtypes: name and describe them - answer--systolic
heart failure: the heart cannot contract forcefully enough during systole to eject adequate amounts of
blood; ejection fraction (percentage of blood ejected from heart during systole) drops from a normal of
50% to 70% to below 40%; results in decreased tissue perfusion or pulmonary and systemic congestion
-diastolic heart failure: left ventricle cannot relax adequately during diastole; stiffening prevents
ventricle from filling with sufficient blood to ensure adequate cardiac output; represents about 20% to
40% of all heart failure, primarily in older adults and women who have chronic hypertension and
undetected coronary artery disease; signs and symptoms similar to systolic heart failure
what are the causes of R-sided heart failure? - answer-L-sided heart failure, right ventricular MI,
pulmonary hypertension, chronic cigarette smoking
what is R-sided heart failure? - answer-right ventricle cannot empty completely; increased volume and
pressure develop in the venous system and peripheral edema results
assessment of L-sided heart failure - answer--weakness/fatigue while performing normal ADLs; difficulty
breathing or ""catching their breath" (b/c fluid is moving into alveoli)
-presence of S3 gallop (between S1 and S2) ask questions like: are you able to walk upstairs without
fatigue?
assessment of R-sided heart failure - answer-fluid is retained, pressure builds in the venous system
(patient may say "my shoes fit tight"=sign of edema); weight is important because indication that client
is gaining or losing fluid
weakness/fatigue, dizziness, acute confusion, pulmonary congestion, pulmonary crackles,
breathlessness, restlessness, oliguria (low urine output), and cough that worsens at night are symptoms
of what sided heart failure? - answer-L sided heart failure
systemic congestion, jugular distention, enlarged liver/spleen, anorexia, nausea, edema in legs and
sacrum, distended abdomen, swollen hand and fingers, polyuria at night, and weight gain are symptoms
of what sided heart failure? - answer-R sided heart failure
Sa
, what lab assessments are important when patient has HF? - answer--electrolytes (may decrease due to
drug therapy)
-BUN and creatinine (looking for decreased kidney function)
-H&H (HF due to anemia)
-BNP (for diagnosing, but may use microalbuminuria instead because its faster)
-ABG (decreased oxygen levels due to poor perfusion)
what imaging assessments are done for heart failure? - answer--chest x-ray (for L-sided heart failure,
enlarged heart)
-echocardiography (best tool for diagnosing heart failure)
-ECG (not helpful in determining the presence or extent of HF)
heart failure self-management health teaching - answer-M-medications
A-activity
W-weight
D-diet
S-symptoms
What is mitral regurgitation? - answer-Reflux of blood from left ventricle into left atrium during systole
What is aortic stenosis? - answer-narrowing of the aortic valve, which obstructs left ventricular outflow
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is on oxygen at 2 L per nnasal cannula with an
oxygen saturation of 90%. The client states, "I feel short of breath." Which action will the nurse take
first?
a. contact respiratory therapy
b. increase the oxygen to 4 L
c. place the client in a high-Fowler position
d. draw arterial blood for arterial blood gas analysis - answer-c. place the client in a high-Fowler position
, What is the priority concept for a client who has heart failure?
a. gas exchange
b. perfusion
c. comfort
d. infection - answer-b. perfusion
When a client admits that he or she sometimes has trouble catching his or her breath, which question
would the nurse ask to obtain more information about the client's symptoms?
A. "Do you have a history of any medical problems like high blood pressure?"
B. "What did your health care provider tell you about your diagnosis?"
C. "What was your most strenuous activity during the past week?"
D. "How do you feel about being told that you have heart failure?" - answer-C. "What was your most
strenuous activity during the past week?"
What assessment findings would the nurse expect to find in a client with right heart failure? (SATA)
a. weight loss
b. dependent edema
c. neck vein distention
d. angina
e. hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
f. weak peripheral pulses - answer-b. dependent edema
c. neck vein distention
e. hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
What early sign of left ventricular failure is a client most likely to report to the nurse?
a. nocturnal coughing
b. swollen legs
c. weight gain
Questions And Correct Verified Answers
do people with hypertension have symptoms? if so, what symptoms? - answer-most people do not have symptoms,
may only have a headache or dizziness
how do you assess a patient after a cardiac angiography? - answer-assess color, temp, and pulses of legs in which
femoral artery was used
what does cardiac catheterization increase the risk for and what do you need to look for? - answer-increases the risk
for cardiovascular accident (CVA, stroke); need to look for changes in neurologic status (i.e. slurred speech and
confusion), also bruising and discomfort at site
what are important questions to ask/tests to run BEFORE a patient has a cardiac catheterization? -answer-ask if
they are allergic to seafood or iodine, check BUN for kidney function; patient may get IV fluid 12-24 hours before the test
or during the test
can you have left sided and right sided heart failure at the same time? - answer-yes (can have one or both)
preload increases or decreases with the decrease of contractility? - answer-preload INCREASES with the decrease of
contractility
afterload increases or decreases as a result of increased peripheral resistance? - answer-afterload INCREASES
as a result of increased peripheral resistance
Most heart failure begins with failure of the and progresses to failure of both ventricles-answer-
left ventricle
what are the typical causes of L sided heart failure? - answer-hypertension, coronary artery disease, and valvular
disease
,what is a key indicator of L sided heart failure? - answer-decreased tissue perfusion
L sided heart failure can be broken down into two subtypes: name and describe them - answer--systolic
heart failure: the heart cannot contract forcefully enough during systole to eject adequate amounts of
blood; ejection fraction (percentage of blood ejected from heart during systole) drops from a normal of
50% to 70% to below 40%; results in decreased tissue perfusion or pulmonary and systemic congestion
-diastolic heart failure: left ventricle cannot relax adequately during diastole; stiffening prevents
ventricle from filling with sufficient blood to ensure adequate cardiac output; represents about 20% to
40% of all heart failure, primarily in older adults and women who have chronic hypertension and
undetected coronary artery disease; signs and symptoms similar to systolic heart failure
what are the causes of R-sided heart failure? - answer-L-sided heart failure, right ventricular MI,
pulmonary hypertension, chronic cigarette smoking
what is R-sided heart failure? - answer-right ventricle cannot empty completely; increased volume and
pressure develop in the venous system and peripheral edema results
assessment of L-sided heart failure - answer--weakness/fatigue while performing normal ADLs; difficulty
breathing or ""catching their breath" (b/c fluid is moving into alveoli)
-presence of S3 gallop (between S1 and S2) ask questions like: are you able to walk upstairs without
fatigue?
assessment of R-sided heart failure - answer-fluid is retained, pressure builds in the venous system
(patient may say "my shoes fit tight"=sign of edema); weight is important because indication that client
is gaining or losing fluid
weakness/fatigue, dizziness, acute confusion, pulmonary congestion, pulmonary crackles,
breathlessness, restlessness, oliguria (low urine output), and cough that worsens at night are symptoms
of what sided heart failure? - answer-L sided heart failure
systemic congestion, jugular distention, enlarged liver/spleen, anorexia, nausea, edema in legs and
sacrum, distended abdomen, swollen hand and fingers, polyuria at night, and weight gain are symptoms
of what sided heart failure? - answer-R sided heart failure
Sa
, what lab assessments are important when patient has HF? - answer--electrolytes (may decrease due to
drug therapy)
-BUN and creatinine (looking for decreased kidney function)
-H&H (HF due to anemia)
-BNP (for diagnosing, but may use microalbuminuria instead because its faster)
-ABG (decreased oxygen levels due to poor perfusion)
what imaging assessments are done for heart failure? - answer--chest x-ray (for L-sided heart failure,
enlarged heart)
-echocardiography (best tool for diagnosing heart failure)
-ECG (not helpful in determining the presence or extent of HF)
heart failure self-management health teaching - answer-M-medications
A-activity
W-weight
D-diet
S-symptoms
What is mitral regurgitation? - answer-Reflux of blood from left ventricle into left atrium during systole
What is aortic stenosis? - answer-narrowing of the aortic valve, which obstructs left ventricular outflow
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is on oxygen at 2 L per nnasal cannula with an
oxygen saturation of 90%. The client states, "I feel short of breath." Which action will the nurse take
first?
a. contact respiratory therapy
b. increase the oxygen to 4 L
c. place the client in a high-Fowler position
d. draw arterial blood for arterial blood gas analysis - answer-c. place the client in a high-Fowler position
, What is the priority concept for a client who has heart failure?
a. gas exchange
b. perfusion
c. comfort
d. infection - answer-b. perfusion
When a client admits that he or she sometimes has trouble catching his or her breath, which question
would the nurse ask to obtain more information about the client's symptoms?
A. "Do you have a history of any medical problems like high blood pressure?"
B. "What did your health care provider tell you about your diagnosis?"
C. "What was your most strenuous activity during the past week?"
D. "How do you feel about being told that you have heart failure?" - answer-C. "What was your most
strenuous activity during the past week?"
What assessment findings would the nurse expect to find in a client with right heart failure? (SATA)
a. weight loss
b. dependent edema
c. neck vein distention
d. angina
e. hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
f. weak peripheral pulses - answer-b. dependent edema
c. neck vein distention
e. hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
What early sign of left ventricular failure is a client most likely to report to the nurse?
a. nocturnal coughing
b. swollen legs
c. weight gain
