C HAPTER 27: D RUGS U SED TO T REAT H EART
F AILURE
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug is used to obtain vasodilation in the treatment of chronic heart
failure?
a. ACTH
b. ACE inhibitors
c. ARBs
d. ANB agents
ANS: B
Angiotensin converting enz yme (ACE) inhibitors are the mainstays of oral
vasodilator therapy for treating chronic heart failure. ACTH is
adrenocorticotropic hormone, secreted by the anterior pituitary to stimulate
the adrenal cortex. ARBs are angiotensin reuptake blockers, used for the
treatment of hypertension. ANB agents are adrenergic neuron blocking
agents, such as guanethidine, given for the treatment of hypertension.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 446 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Perfusion
, 2. Which action of ACE inhibitors results in effective treatment of heart
failure?
a. Increased afterload
b. Increased aldosterone
c. Increased preload
d. Increased cardiac output
ANS: D
The therapeutic outcome of ACE inhibitors in heart failure is to improve
cardiac output. ACE inhibitors reduce afterload, inhibit the secretion of
aldosterone, and reduce pr eload.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 446 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Perfusion
3. The nurse is providing teaching to a patient with heart fai lure who has been
prescribed nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker. Which statement by the
nurse is accurate?
a. “This medication dilates your coronary arteries. ”
b. “This medication will help your kidneys get rid of fluid. ”
c. “This medication reduces volume retu rning to your heart so it
doesn’t overstretch. ”
d. “This medication reduces the resistance your heart has to pump
against.”
ANS: D
This medication reduces afterload or the resistance against which the heart
has to pump. This medication is not used in heart failure for this reason, does
not have a diuretic effect, and does not reduce volume.
F AILURE
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug is used to obtain vasodilation in the treatment of chronic heart
failure?
a. ACTH
b. ACE inhibitors
c. ARBs
d. ANB agents
ANS: B
Angiotensin converting enz yme (ACE) inhibitors are the mainstays of oral
vasodilator therapy for treating chronic heart failure. ACTH is
adrenocorticotropic hormone, secreted by the anterior pituitary to stimulate
the adrenal cortex. ARBs are angiotensin reuptake blockers, used for the
treatment of hypertension. ANB agents are adrenergic neuron blocking
agents, such as guanethidine, given for the treatment of hypertension.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 446 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Perfusion
, 2. Which action of ACE inhibitors results in effective treatment of heart
failure?
a. Increased afterload
b. Increased aldosterone
c. Increased preload
d. Increased cardiac output
ANS: D
The therapeutic outcome of ACE inhibitors in heart failure is to improve
cardiac output. ACE inhibitors reduce afterload, inhibit the secretion of
aldosterone, and reduce pr eload.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 446 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
CON: Clinical Judgment | Perfusion
3. The nurse is providing teaching to a patient with heart fai lure who has been
prescribed nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker. Which statement by the
nurse is accurate?
a. “This medication dilates your coronary arteries. ”
b. “This medication will help your kidneys get rid of fluid. ”
c. “This medication reduces volume retu rning to your heart so it
doesn’t overstretch. ”
d. “This medication reduces the resistance your heart has to pump
against.”
ANS: D
This medication reduces afterload or the resistance against which the heart
has to pump. This medication is not used in heart failure for this reason, does
not have a diuretic effect, and does not reduce volume.
