Question 1

Lisinopril (Prinivil) is often used to treat heart failure because it lowers blood volume. Which statement best explains how lisinopril lowers blood volume?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

Which statement is accurate regarding the use of beta-adrenergic blockers for use in patients with heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Beta-adrenergic blockers are typically used in combination with other medications to manage heart failure, as they help improve heart function and reduce symptoms.

Question 3

The patient who is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) and digoxin (Lanoxin) reports using an over-the-counter antacid for recurrent heartburn. The nurse would assess for which result?

Accepted Answer

Antacids can interfere with the absorption of digoxin, leading to decreased effectiveness of the medication.

Question 4

Which individual listed below would be at the greatest risk for developing heart disease?

Accepted Answer

The 68-year-old with stage 2 hypertension and a recent myocardial infarction is at the greatest risk for developing heart disease due to the combination of high blood pressure and a recent heart attack, both of which are significant risk factors for heart disease.

Question 5

The nurse volunteers at a senior citizen center. The nurse assesses which senior citizen as having the greatest risk of developing heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for heart failure, and being an African American male further increases the risk due to higher prevalence of hypertension and heart disease in this demographic.

Question 6

Which medication would be of most help to increase myocardial contractility in a patient with heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases myocardial contractility by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular calcium.

Question 7

The nurse teaches the patient about lisinopril (Prinivil) and evaluates that additional teaching is required when the patient makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

Lisinopril can affect kidney function and electrolyte levels, so regular blood tests are often required to monitor these parameters.

Question 8

The patient takes insulin for diabetes mellitus. The physician orders metoprolol (Lopressor) for hypertension. After medication teaching, the nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The patient takes insulin for diabetes mellitus....

Question 9

Which statement is accurate regarding the physiological changes associated with heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac remodeling occurs after prolonged ventricular hypertrophy in heart failure. The heart undergoes changes in its size, shape, and function in response to prolonged injury and overload, which can further impair cardiac function. Blood backs up into the lungs due to left ventricular hypertrophy in heart failure, not right ventricular hypertrophy. The walls of the heart do not shrink in heart failure; in fact, they may become thicker and stiffer, which can lead to decreased cardiac output. Blood pressure may increase initially in response to compensatory mechanisms, but over time, it may decrease due to weakened cardiac function, leading to increased afterload.

Question 10

The patient receives captopril (Capoten) as treatment for heart failure. Which adverse effect will the nurse plan to report to the physician?

Accepted Answer

Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause a persistent dry cough as a common adverse effect. This should be reported to the physician as it may require a change in medication.

Question 11

The patient comes to the emergency department complaining of coughing and difficulty breathing. The patient's diagnosis is heart failure. He asks the nurse how difficulty breathing could be a heart problem. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The patient comes to the emergency department...

Question 12

The nurse teaches the patient about digoxin (Lanoxin) toxicity and determines that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statements?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse teaches the patient about digoxin...

Question 13

The patient has hypertension and asks the nurse how this can lead to heart failure. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension increases the resistance in blood vessels, known as afterload, making the heart work harder to pump blood, which can eventually weaken the heart and lead to heart failure.

Question 14

Which situation would lead to an increase in cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

An increase in preload, which is the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole, leads to an increase in cardiac output by enhancing the stroke volume according to the Frank-Starling law of the heart.

Question 15

The physician orders metoprolol (Toprol-XL) for several patients. The nurse will most closely monitor the effects of this drug on which patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The physician orders metoprolol (Toprol-XL) for several...

Question 16

The patient will receive an IV infusion of milrinone (Primacor) as treatment for acute heart failure. What is the priority plan by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Continuous ECG monitoring is crucial when administering milrinone due to the risk of arrhythmias, including ventricular arrhythmias.

Question 17

The patient receives digoxin (Lanoxin). Which assessment findings would indicate adverse effects to this medication?

Accepted Answer

Anorexia and nausea are common signs of digoxin toxicity, indicating adverse effects of the medication.

Question 18

The patient has a history of cardiac disease and receives digoxin (Lanoxin). The nurse determines that education about dietary needs with this medication has been effective when the patient makes which selection for lunch?

Accepted Answer

Baked fish, sweet potatoes, and banana pudding provide a balanced meal with potassium, which is important for patients on digoxin to help prevent toxicity.

Question 19

The patient receives enalapril (Vasotec) as treatment for heart failure. What is the best nursing assessment following the initial administration of this drug?

Accepted Answer

Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause hypotension, especially after the first dose, so monitoring the patient's blood pressure is crucial.

Question 20

The patient has heart failure and receives digoxin (Lanoxin). Prior to discharge, what will the best teaching plan by the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Mental changes such as depression can be a sign of digoxin toxicity, which is important for the patient to report.

Quiz 27: Drugs for Heart Failure