NSG 533 EXAM 3 (NEW 2025/ 2026
UPDATE) ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
Universal stages of Heart Failure (HF) - ANS - At-risk for HF
- Pre HF
- HF
- Advanced HF
according to the universal definition, what is "at-risk for HF"? - ANS - do not have HF, but at
risk
- no current or prior s/s
- no structural, functional, or biomarker evidence supporting HF
according to the universal definition, what is "HF" - ANS - clinical syndrome
- current or prior s/s of HF
- caused by structural of functional cardiac abnormality
- elevated natriuretic peptide levels
- evidence of pulmonary or systemic congestion
who is most at risk for HF - ANS black males and females; older women
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 21
,two biggest causes of HF - ANS 1. ischemic heart disease (CAD)
2. HTN
calculate EF - ANS SV/LVEDV
synonym for inotropy - ANS contraction (HFrEF)
synonym for lusitropy - ANS relaxation (HFpEF)
two organizations for classification of HF - ANS 1. American Heart Assocation (A,B,C,D) -
based on structure
2. New York Heart Association (None, I, I, II, III, IV, V) - based on physical activity limitations
how to distinguish cardiac dysfunction versus cardiac HF - ANS cardiac dysfunction has
structural abnormalities w/o symptoms
once a patient develops symptoms along with structural abnormalities, they have HF
compensatory mechanisms for HF - ANS 1. Hemodynamics (Frank Starling Law) - can give
inotropes as short term use to increase contractility (long-term can cause mortality)
2. SNS activation (increase contractility, tachycardia, vasoconstriction)
3. RAAS activation (angiotensin II binds to AT 1 Receptor - vasoconstriction)
two types of angiotensin II - ANS 1. circulating
2. tissue-derived
effects of circulating angiotensin II on HF - ANS - causes vasoconstriction
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 21
, - increases secretion of ADH
- increase aldosterone secretion
- increases sodium reabsorption
are aldosterone levels high or low in HF? - ANS 20x higher than normal
effects of aldosterone on HF - ANS - increases sodium and water reabsorption
- decreased potassium and magnesium
- decreased baroreceptor reflex
- sympathetic activation
list the comprehensive risk factors of Coronary Artery Disease - ANS - dyslipidemia
- genetic studies
- modifiable risk factors
- non-modifiable risk factors
- novel risk factors
what are two classes of medications an individual with HFrEF will be started on? - ANS 1.
beta blocker (to counter SNS)
2. ACEi (to counter RAAS)
what hormones worsen HF - ANS - Angiontensin II (RAAS)
- catecholamines (SNS)
- endothelin
- aldosterone
hormones that are good for HF - ANS - natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, CNP)
- adrenmedullin
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 21
UPDATE) ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
Universal stages of Heart Failure (HF) - ANS - At-risk for HF
- Pre HF
- HF
- Advanced HF
according to the universal definition, what is "at-risk for HF"? - ANS - do not have HF, but at
risk
- no current or prior s/s
- no structural, functional, or biomarker evidence supporting HF
according to the universal definition, what is "HF" - ANS - clinical syndrome
- current or prior s/s of HF
- caused by structural of functional cardiac abnormality
- elevated natriuretic peptide levels
- evidence of pulmonary or systemic congestion
who is most at risk for HF - ANS black males and females; older women
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 21
,two biggest causes of HF - ANS 1. ischemic heart disease (CAD)
2. HTN
calculate EF - ANS SV/LVEDV
synonym for inotropy - ANS contraction (HFrEF)
synonym for lusitropy - ANS relaxation (HFpEF)
two organizations for classification of HF - ANS 1. American Heart Assocation (A,B,C,D) -
based on structure
2. New York Heart Association (None, I, I, II, III, IV, V) - based on physical activity limitations
how to distinguish cardiac dysfunction versus cardiac HF - ANS cardiac dysfunction has
structural abnormalities w/o symptoms
once a patient develops symptoms along with structural abnormalities, they have HF
compensatory mechanisms for HF - ANS 1. Hemodynamics (Frank Starling Law) - can give
inotropes as short term use to increase contractility (long-term can cause mortality)
2. SNS activation (increase contractility, tachycardia, vasoconstriction)
3. RAAS activation (angiotensin II binds to AT 1 Receptor - vasoconstriction)
two types of angiotensin II - ANS 1. circulating
2. tissue-derived
effects of circulating angiotensin II on HF - ANS - causes vasoconstriction
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 21
, - increases secretion of ADH
- increase aldosterone secretion
- increases sodium reabsorption
are aldosterone levels high or low in HF? - ANS 20x higher than normal
effects of aldosterone on HF - ANS - increases sodium and water reabsorption
- decreased potassium and magnesium
- decreased baroreceptor reflex
- sympathetic activation
list the comprehensive risk factors of Coronary Artery Disease - ANS - dyslipidemia
- genetic studies
- modifiable risk factors
- non-modifiable risk factors
- novel risk factors
what are two classes of medications an individual with HFrEF will be started on? - ANS 1.
beta blocker (to counter SNS)
2. ACEi (to counter RAAS)
what hormones worsen HF - ANS - Angiontensin II (RAAS)
- catecholamines (SNS)
- endothelin
- aldosterone
hormones that are good for HF - ANS - natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, CNP)
- adrenmedullin
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 21
