Heart Failure NCLEX Questions
1. 1. Which of the following patients are MOST at risk for developing heart
failure? Select-all-that-apply< >*
A. A 69 year old male with a history of alcohol abuse and is recovering from a
myocardial infarction.
B. A 55 year old female with a health history of asthma and hypoparathy-
roidism.
C. A 30 year old male with a history of endocarditis and has severe mitral
stenosis.
D. A 45 year old female with lung cancer stage 2.
E. A 58 year old female with uncontrolled hypertension and is being treated for
influenza< > The answers to this question are options< > A, C, E. These patients
are at most risk for heart failure. Remember risks factor for developing heart failure
include< > remember the mnemonic FAILURE< > Faulty heart valves ( Option C
mitral stenosis in this case), Arrhythmias, Infarction (Option A), Lineage,
Uncontrolled hypertension (Option E), Recreational drug usage, Evaders (Option
E with influenza)
2. 2. A patient is being discharged home after hospitalization of left ventricular
systolic dysfunction. As the nurse providing discharge teaching to the patient,
which statement is NOT a correct statement about this condition?*
A. "Signs and symptoms of this type of heart failure can include< >
dyspnea, persistent cough, difficulty breathing while lying down, and
weight gain."
B. "It is important to monitor your daily weights, fluid and salt intake."
C. "Left-sided heart failure can lead to right-sided heart failure, if left untreat-
,ed."
D. "This type of heart failure can build up pressure in the hepatic veins
and cause them to become congested with fluid which leads to peripheral
edema."< > Option D is the answer. This is a description of right-sided heart
failure NOT left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Left-sided systolic dysfunction is
where
the left side of the heart is unable to CONTRACT efficiently which causes blood to
back-up into the lungs...leading to pulmonary edema.
3. 3. Which of the following are NOT typical signs and symptoms of right-sided
heart failure? Select-all-that-apply< >*
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Persistent cough
C. Weight gain
D. Crackles
E. Nocturia
F. Orthopnea< > The answers are B, D, and F. Persistent cough, crackles (also
called rales), and orthopnea are signs and symptoms of LEFT-sided heart
failure...not right-sided heart failure.
, 4. 4. A patient is diagnosed with left-sided systolic dysfunction heart failure.
Which of the following are expected findings with this condition?*
A. Echocardiogram shows an ejection fraction of 38%.
B. Heart catheterization shows an ejection fraction of 65%.
C. Patient has frequent episodes of nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea.
D. Options A and C are both expected findings with left-sided systolic dysfunc-
tion heart failure< > The answer is D. Both Options A and C are correct. Option B
is a finding expected in left-sided DIASTOLIC dysfunction heart failure because
the issue is with the ability of the ventricle to FILL properly...therefore a patient
usually has a normal ejection fraction. Remember a normal EF is >60% in a
healthy heart.
5. 5. True or False< > Patients with left-sided diastolic dysfunction heart
failure usually have a normal ejection fraction.*
True
False< > The answer is TRUE. Patient with left-sided DIASTOLIC dysfunction hear
failure normally have a normal ejection fraction. However, patients with left-sided
SYSTOLIC dysfunction heart failure usually do not because the heart is unable to
CONTRACT efficiently rather than fill properly as with diastolic dysfunction.
6. 6. A patient has a history of heart failure. Which of the following statements
by the patient indicates the patient may be experiencing heart failure exacer-
bation?*
A. "I've noticed that I've gain 6 lbs in one week."
B. "While I sleep I have to prop myself up with a pillow so I can breathe."
C. "I haven't noticed any swelling in my feet or hands lately."
D. Options B and C are correct.
1. 1. Which of the following patients are MOST at risk for developing heart
failure? Select-all-that-apply< >*
A. A 69 year old male with a history of alcohol abuse and is recovering from a
myocardial infarction.
B. A 55 year old female with a health history of asthma and hypoparathy-
roidism.
C. A 30 year old male with a history of endocarditis and has severe mitral
stenosis.
D. A 45 year old female with lung cancer stage 2.
E. A 58 year old female with uncontrolled hypertension and is being treated for
influenza< > The answers to this question are options< > A, C, E. These patients
are at most risk for heart failure. Remember risks factor for developing heart failure
include< > remember the mnemonic FAILURE< > Faulty heart valves ( Option C
mitral stenosis in this case), Arrhythmias, Infarction (Option A), Lineage,
Uncontrolled hypertension (Option E), Recreational drug usage, Evaders (Option
E with influenza)
2. 2. A patient is being discharged home after hospitalization of left ventricular
systolic dysfunction. As the nurse providing discharge teaching to the patient,
which statement is NOT a correct statement about this condition?*
A. "Signs and symptoms of this type of heart failure can include< >
dyspnea, persistent cough, difficulty breathing while lying down, and
weight gain."
B. "It is important to monitor your daily weights, fluid and salt intake."
C. "Left-sided heart failure can lead to right-sided heart failure, if left untreat-
,ed."
D. "This type of heart failure can build up pressure in the hepatic veins
and cause them to become congested with fluid which leads to peripheral
edema."< > Option D is the answer. This is a description of right-sided heart
failure NOT left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Left-sided systolic dysfunction is
where
the left side of the heart is unable to CONTRACT efficiently which causes blood to
back-up into the lungs...leading to pulmonary edema.
3. 3. Which of the following are NOT typical signs and symptoms of right-sided
heart failure? Select-all-that-apply< >*
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Persistent cough
C. Weight gain
D. Crackles
E. Nocturia
F. Orthopnea< > The answers are B, D, and F. Persistent cough, crackles (also
called rales), and orthopnea are signs and symptoms of LEFT-sided heart
failure...not right-sided heart failure.
, 4. 4. A patient is diagnosed with left-sided systolic dysfunction heart failure.
Which of the following are expected findings with this condition?*
A. Echocardiogram shows an ejection fraction of 38%.
B. Heart catheterization shows an ejection fraction of 65%.
C. Patient has frequent episodes of nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea.
D. Options A and C are both expected findings with left-sided systolic dysfunc-
tion heart failure< > The answer is D. Both Options A and C are correct. Option B
is a finding expected in left-sided DIASTOLIC dysfunction heart failure because
the issue is with the ability of the ventricle to FILL properly...therefore a patient
usually has a normal ejection fraction. Remember a normal EF is >60% in a
healthy heart.
5. 5. True or False< > Patients with left-sided diastolic dysfunction heart
failure usually have a normal ejection fraction.*
True
False< > The answer is TRUE. Patient with left-sided DIASTOLIC dysfunction hear
failure normally have a normal ejection fraction. However, patients with left-sided
SYSTOLIC dysfunction heart failure usually do not because the heart is unable to
CONTRACT efficiently rather than fill properly as with diastolic dysfunction.
6. 6. A patient has a history of heart failure. Which of the following statements
by the patient indicates the patient may be experiencing heart failure exacer-
bation?*
A. "I've noticed that I've gain 6 lbs in one week."
B. "While I sleep I have to prop myself up with a pillow so I can breathe."
C. "I haven't noticed any swelling in my feet or hands lately."
D. Options B and C are correct.
