HEART FAILURE NCLEX PRACTICE
TEST QUESTIONS WITH REVISED
ANSWERS -UPDATED!!!
The client is prescribed a beta-blocker as adjunct therapy to treatment of heart failure.
The nurse recognizes that beta blockers act by
Increasing contractility and cardiac output.
Decreasing preload.
Slowing the heart and decreasing afterload.
Decreasing peripheral resistance - Answer-Slowing the heart and decreasing afterload.
Rationale: Beta-blockers improve symptoms of HF by slowing heart rate and decreasing
blood pressure. The decreased afterload causes decreased workload on the heart.
Lisinopril (Prinivil) is part of the treatment regimen for a client with HF. The nurse
monitors the client for which electrolyte imbalance of this drug?
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia - Answer-Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block aldosterone secretion, which results in sodium loss and
potassium retention. Hyperkalemia may occur, especially when the drug is taken
concurrently with potassium-sparing diuretics.
When caring for a client receiving triamterene (Dyrenium), the nurse places priority on
which nursing intervention?
Monitor electrolytes for hyperkalemia.
Monitor electrolytes for hypernatremia.
Monitor heart rate closely.
Monitor blood pressure closely. - Answer-Monitor electrolytes for hyperkalemia.
Rationale: Dyrenium is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The client should be monitored for
signs of hyperkalemia. Hyponatremia, not hypernatremia may occur. BP and heart rate
should be monitored, but are not priority with this drug.
The nurse includes the definition of HF in the teaching plan for the client. An accurate
description of the mechanism of HF is that [Hint]
, there is too much fluid in the heart.
the heart cannot get oxygen.
the heart is unable to pump effectively.
there is too much fluid in the lungs. - Answer-the heart is unable to pump effectively.
Lisinopril (Prinivil) is part of the treatment regimen for a client with HF. The nurse
monitors the client for the development of which of teh following adverse effects of this
drug? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY
1. Hyperkalemia
2.Hypocalcemia
3. Cough
4. Dizziness
5. Heartburn - Answer-1. Hyperkalemia
2.Hypocalcemia
3. Cough
4. Dizziness
A client with HF has an order for lisnopril (Prinivil, Zestril) Which of the following
conditions in the client's history would lead a nurse to confirm the order with the
provider?
1. A history of HT previously treated with diuretics.
2. A history of seasonal allergies currently treated with antihistamines.
3. A history of angioedema after taking enalapril (Vasotec)
4. A history of alcoholism, currently abstaining. - Answer-A history of angioedema after
taking enalapril (Vasotec)
A nurse in a provider's office is monitoring serum electrolytes for 4 older adult clients
who take digoxin(Lanoxin) & furosemide(Lasix). Which of the following electrolyte
values puts a client at risk for dig toxicity?
1. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
2. Calcium 10.3 mg/dL
3. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
4. Potassium 4.8 mEq/L - Answer-3. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a new prescription for digoxin and
takes multiple other medications. concurrent use of which of the following medications
places the client at risk for dig toxicity?
1. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
2. Verapamil (Calan)
3. Warfarin (Coumadin)
4. Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel) - Answer-2. Verapamil (Calan) -- CCB, can increase
digoxin levels. if used together dig dosage may need to be lowered.
A nurse is administering a dopamine infusion at a moderate dose to a client who has
severe HF. Which of the following is an expected effect?
TEST QUESTIONS WITH REVISED
ANSWERS -UPDATED!!!
The client is prescribed a beta-blocker as adjunct therapy to treatment of heart failure.
The nurse recognizes that beta blockers act by
Increasing contractility and cardiac output.
Decreasing preload.
Slowing the heart and decreasing afterload.
Decreasing peripheral resistance - Answer-Slowing the heart and decreasing afterload.
Rationale: Beta-blockers improve symptoms of HF by slowing heart rate and decreasing
blood pressure. The decreased afterload causes decreased workload on the heart.
Lisinopril (Prinivil) is part of the treatment regimen for a client with HF. The nurse
monitors the client for which electrolyte imbalance of this drug?
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia - Answer-Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block aldosterone secretion, which results in sodium loss and
potassium retention. Hyperkalemia may occur, especially when the drug is taken
concurrently with potassium-sparing diuretics.
When caring for a client receiving triamterene (Dyrenium), the nurse places priority on
which nursing intervention?
Monitor electrolytes for hyperkalemia.
Monitor electrolytes for hypernatremia.
Monitor heart rate closely.
Monitor blood pressure closely. - Answer-Monitor electrolytes for hyperkalemia.
Rationale: Dyrenium is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The client should be monitored for
signs of hyperkalemia. Hyponatremia, not hypernatremia may occur. BP and heart rate
should be monitored, but are not priority with this drug.
The nurse includes the definition of HF in the teaching plan for the client. An accurate
description of the mechanism of HF is that [Hint]
, there is too much fluid in the heart.
the heart cannot get oxygen.
the heart is unable to pump effectively.
there is too much fluid in the lungs. - Answer-the heart is unable to pump effectively.
Lisinopril (Prinivil) is part of the treatment regimen for a client with HF. The nurse
monitors the client for the development of which of teh following adverse effects of this
drug? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY
1. Hyperkalemia
2.Hypocalcemia
3. Cough
4. Dizziness
5. Heartburn - Answer-1. Hyperkalemia
2.Hypocalcemia
3. Cough
4. Dizziness
A client with HF has an order for lisnopril (Prinivil, Zestril) Which of the following
conditions in the client's history would lead a nurse to confirm the order with the
provider?
1. A history of HT previously treated with diuretics.
2. A history of seasonal allergies currently treated with antihistamines.
3. A history of angioedema after taking enalapril (Vasotec)
4. A history of alcoholism, currently abstaining. - Answer-A history of angioedema after
taking enalapril (Vasotec)
A nurse in a provider's office is monitoring serum electrolytes for 4 older adult clients
who take digoxin(Lanoxin) & furosemide(Lasix). Which of the following electrolyte
values puts a client at risk for dig toxicity?
1. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
2. Calcium 10.3 mg/dL
3. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
4. Potassium 4.8 mEq/L - Answer-3. Potassium 3.4 mEq/L
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a new prescription for digoxin and
takes multiple other medications. concurrent use of which of the following medications
places the client at risk for dig toxicity?
1. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
2. Verapamil (Calan)
3. Warfarin (Coumadin)
4. Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel) - Answer-2. Verapamil (Calan) -- CCB, can increase
digoxin levels. if used together dig dosage may need to be lowered.
A nurse is administering a dopamine infusion at a moderate dose to a client who has
severe HF. Which of the following is an expected effect?
