NURS 2003 EXAM (2025) QUESTIONS
AND (elaborated) WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
80% of heart failure cases are caused by what three things? - (answers)-ischemic
heart disease
-chronic hypertension
-myocardial infarction
Select all that apply:
Heart failure is most common in:
a) men
b) women
c) young adults
d) old adults - (answers)a & d
What is ejection fraction? - (answers)The percentage of total amount of end-
diastolic blood volume ejected during each systole.
What is a normal ejection fraction? - (answers)more than 55% of ventricular
volume
,Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction can also be referred to as what? -
(answers)Systolic heart failure
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction can also be referred to as what? -
(answers)Diastolic heart failure
Starling's Law - (answers)The more the heart is filled during diastole the more
forcefully it contracts
Problems with the left ventricle indicate what? - (answers)Issues relating to the
lungs (pulmonary)
Problems with the right ventricle indicate what? - (answers)Peripheral and
systemic issues (ie., enlarged liver)
Cor pulmonare - (answers)Right sided heart failure specifically from COPD
Symptoms of left-sided heart failure - (answers)-paroxsymal nocturnal dyspnea
-elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
-pulmonary congestion (cough, crackles, wheezes, blood-tinted sputum or
hemoptysis, tachypnea)
-restlessness
-confusion
-orthopnea
,-tachycardia
-fatigue
-pallor or cyanosis
-exertional dyspnea
-elevated HR, BP
-excessory muscles in use for breathing
-clammy cool skin (vasoconstriction)
-decreased PaO2
-decreased cardiac output
-decreased tissue perfusion
-impaired gas exchange
-oliguria
Symptoms of right-sided heart failure - (answers)-distended jugular veins
-anorexia
-GI distress/congestion
-weight gain
-edema
-fatigue
-elevated venous pressure
-ascites
-enlarged liver and spleen (splenomegaly and hepatomegaly)
, -exercise intolerance
-chest pain
What is the primary cause of right-sided heart failure? - (answers)Left-sided heart
failure
What are the 4 compensatory mechanisms for heart failure? - (answers)1.Dilation
of ventricles
2.Hypertrophy of the ventricles
3.Activation of SNS
4.Neurohormonal responses
Explain dilation of ventricles as a compensatory mechanism - (answers)Starling's
Law explains that ventricular muscle fibers will stretch to increase force of
contraction and cardiac output, although elasticity may decrease over time.
Explain hypertrophy as a compensatory mechanism - (answers)Overworked and
overstrained myocardial muscles will respond by increasing muscle mass and
thickness to restore cardiac output.
Explain SNS activation as a compensatory mechanism - (answers)Low cardiac
output and stroke volume triggers release of epi and norepi to increase HR,
contractility, and vasocontriction.
AND (elaborated) WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
80% of heart failure cases are caused by what three things? - (answers)-ischemic
heart disease
-chronic hypertension
-myocardial infarction
Select all that apply:
Heart failure is most common in:
a) men
b) women
c) young adults
d) old adults - (answers)a & d
What is ejection fraction? - (answers)The percentage of total amount of end-
diastolic blood volume ejected during each systole.
What is a normal ejection fraction? - (answers)more than 55% of ventricular
volume
,Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction can also be referred to as what? -
(answers)Systolic heart failure
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction can also be referred to as what? -
(answers)Diastolic heart failure
Starling's Law - (answers)The more the heart is filled during diastole the more
forcefully it contracts
Problems with the left ventricle indicate what? - (answers)Issues relating to the
lungs (pulmonary)
Problems with the right ventricle indicate what? - (answers)Peripheral and
systemic issues (ie., enlarged liver)
Cor pulmonare - (answers)Right sided heart failure specifically from COPD
Symptoms of left-sided heart failure - (answers)-paroxsymal nocturnal dyspnea
-elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
-pulmonary congestion (cough, crackles, wheezes, blood-tinted sputum or
hemoptysis, tachypnea)
-restlessness
-confusion
-orthopnea
,-tachycardia
-fatigue
-pallor or cyanosis
-exertional dyspnea
-elevated HR, BP
-excessory muscles in use for breathing
-clammy cool skin (vasoconstriction)
-decreased PaO2
-decreased cardiac output
-decreased tissue perfusion
-impaired gas exchange
-oliguria
Symptoms of right-sided heart failure - (answers)-distended jugular veins
-anorexia
-GI distress/congestion
-weight gain
-edema
-fatigue
-elevated venous pressure
-ascites
-enlarged liver and spleen (splenomegaly and hepatomegaly)
, -exercise intolerance
-chest pain
What is the primary cause of right-sided heart failure? - (answers)Left-sided heart
failure
What are the 4 compensatory mechanisms for heart failure? - (answers)1.Dilation
of ventricles
2.Hypertrophy of the ventricles
3.Activation of SNS
4.Neurohormonal responses
Explain dilation of ventricles as a compensatory mechanism - (answers)Starling's
Law explains that ventricular muscle fibers will stretch to increase force of
contraction and cardiac output, although elasticity may decrease over time.
Explain hypertrophy as a compensatory mechanism - (answers)Overworked and
overstrained myocardial muscles will respond by increasing muscle mass and
thickness to restore cardiac output.
Explain SNS activation as a compensatory mechanism - (answers)Low cardiac
output and stroke volume triggers release of epi and norepi to increase HR,
contractility, and vasocontriction.
