NSG 430 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS.
What is acute decompensated heart failure (HF)? - ANS A condition where pulmonary
venous pressure increases due to left ventricle failure, leading to pulmonary vascular
engorgement and decreased lung compliance.
What diagnostic tools are used to assess heart failure? - ANS Echocardiogram, ECG,
ambulatory heart monitors, chest x-ray, 6-minute walk test, MUGA scan, cardiac MRI, cardiac
catheterization, endomyocardial biopsy, serum electrolytes, and NT-proBNP or BNP levels.
What are early signs and symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure? - ANS Increased
pulmonary venous pressure, mild increase in respiratory rate, and decreased PaO2.
What are the later signs and symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure? -
ANS Interstitial pulmonary edema, tachypnea, shortness of breath, respiratory acidosis, and
alveolar edema.
What is pulmonary edema and why is it life-threatening? - ANS A condition where alveoli fill
with fluid, often associated with left-sided heart failure, leading to symptoms like dyspnea,
tachypnea, and cyanosis.
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,What are common manifestations of heart failure? - ANS Fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea,
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, cough, tachycardia, palpitations, edema, changes in urine
output, skin changes, neurological manifestations, and weight changes.
What interventions should be taken for patients with heart failure? - ANS Assess subjective
and objective data, manage medications, implement a low sodium diet, monitor vital signs, and
provide ongoing assessment.
What is the significance of daily weight monitoring in heart failure patients? - ANS A weight
gain of 3 lbs over 2 days or 3-5 lbs over a week should be reported to the healthcare provider as
it indicates potential fluid overload.
What are the treatment groups for heart failure presentations? - ANS Patients are
categorized into dry-warm, dry-cold, wet-warm, and wet-cold based on their volume status and
perfusion.
What medications are commonly used in heart failure treatment? - ANS Diuretics (e.g.,
furosemide), vasodilators (e.g., IV nitroglycerin), morphine, and positive inotropes (e.g.,
dopamine, dobutamine).
What complications can arise from heart failure? - ANS Pleural effusion, dysrhythmias,
activity intolerance, fluid imbalance, impaired cardiac and respiratory function, and cardiogenic
shock.
What is cardiomyopathy? - ANS A group of diseases that directly affect the myocardium's
structure and function, classified as primary (unknown cause) or secondary (known cause).
What are the signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure? - ANS Increased dyspnea,
orthopnea, cough, and changes in weight or edema.
What is the role of telehealth in heart failure management? - ANS Telehealth allows for
remote monitoring and timely interventions to avoid re-hospitalization.
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, What is the importance of advanced directives in heart failure care? - ANS They guide end-
of-life care discussions and decisions regarding advanced heart failure therapies and palliative
care.
What is the purpose of a high/semi-Fowler's position in heart failure patients? - ANS To
improve respiratory function and ease breathing in patients experiencing dyspnea.
What are the signs of fluid overload in heart failure patients? - ANS Edema, weight gain, and
increased blood pressure.
What is the significance of using accessory muscles in breathing for heart failure patients? -
ANS It indicates increased respiratory effort due to difficulty breathing.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? - ANS A sudden episode of shortness of breath that
occurs at night, often waking the patient from sleep.
What is the role of mechanical ventilation in heart failure management? - ANS It is used for
unstable patients who cannot maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
What is ultrafiltration (aquapheresis) used for in heart failure patients? - ANS To remove
excess fluid in patients with volume overload who are resistant to diuretics.
What are the common causes of secondary cardiomyopathy? - ANS Known myocardial
diseases such as infections or other pathological processes.
What is the expected prognosis for heart failure patients? - ANS The 5-year survival rate
varies but is often a focus of transitional care and disease management.
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VERIFIED ANSWERS.
What is acute decompensated heart failure (HF)? - ANS A condition where pulmonary
venous pressure increases due to left ventricle failure, leading to pulmonary vascular
engorgement and decreased lung compliance.
What diagnostic tools are used to assess heart failure? - ANS Echocardiogram, ECG,
ambulatory heart monitors, chest x-ray, 6-minute walk test, MUGA scan, cardiac MRI, cardiac
catheterization, endomyocardial biopsy, serum electrolytes, and NT-proBNP or BNP levels.
What are early signs and symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure? - ANS Increased
pulmonary venous pressure, mild increase in respiratory rate, and decreased PaO2.
What are the later signs and symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure? -
ANS Interstitial pulmonary edema, tachypnea, shortness of breath, respiratory acidosis, and
alveolar edema.
What is pulmonary edema and why is it life-threatening? - ANS A condition where alveoli fill
with fluid, often associated with left-sided heart failure, leading to symptoms like dyspnea,
tachypnea, and cyanosis.
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,What are common manifestations of heart failure? - ANS Fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea,
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, cough, tachycardia, palpitations, edema, changes in urine
output, skin changes, neurological manifestations, and weight changes.
What interventions should be taken for patients with heart failure? - ANS Assess subjective
and objective data, manage medications, implement a low sodium diet, monitor vital signs, and
provide ongoing assessment.
What is the significance of daily weight monitoring in heart failure patients? - ANS A weight
gain of 3 lbs over 2 days or 3-5 lbs over a week should be reported to the healthcare provider as
it indicates potential fluid overload.
What are the treatment groups for heart failure presentations? - ANS Patients are
categorized into dry-warm, dry-cold, wet-warm, and wet-cold based on their volume status and
perfusion.
What medications are commonly used in heart failure treatment? - ANS Diuretics (e.g.,
furosemide), vasodilators (e.g., IV nitroglycerin), morphine, and positive inotropes (e.g.,
dopamine, dobutamine).
What complications can arise from heart failure? - ANS Pleural effusion, dysrhythmias,
activity intolerance, fluid imbalance, impaired cardiac and respiratory function, and cardiogenic
shock.
What is cardiomyopathy? - ANS A group of diseases that directly affect the myocardium's
structure and function, classified as primary (unknown cause) or secondary (known cause).
What are the signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure? - ANS Increased dyspnea,
orthopnea, cough, and changes in weight or edema.
What is the role of telehealth in heart failure management? - ANS Telehealth allows for
remote monitoring and timely interventions to avoid re-hospitalization.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, What is the importance of advanced directives in heart failure care? - ANS They guide end-
of-life care discussions and decisions regarding advanced heart failure therapies and palliative
care.
What is the purpose of a high/semi-Fowler's position in heart failure patients? - ANS To
improve respiratory function and ease breathing in patients experiencing dyspnea.
What are the signs of fluid overload in heart failure patients? - ANS Edema, weight gain, and
increased blood pressure.
What is the significance of using accessory muscles in breathing for heart failure patients? -
ANS It indicates increased respiratory effort due to difficulty breathing.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? - ANS A sudden episode of shortness of breath that
occurs at night, often waking the patient from sleep.
What is the role of mechanical ventilation in heart failure management? - ANS It is used for
unstable patients who cannot maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
What is ultrafiltration (aquapheresis) used for in heart failure patients? - ANS To remove
excess fluid in patients with volume overload who are resistant to diuretics.
What are the common causes of secondary cardiomyopathy? - ANS Known myocardial
diseases such as infections or other pathological processes.
What is the expected prognosis for heart failure patients? - ANS The 5-year survival rate
varies but is often a focus of transitional care and disease management.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
