BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
Heart Transplantation
Question 1 of 3
A 22-year-old patient is diagnosed with terminal heart failure and starts the screening process
for a heart transplantation. The patient questions the necessity of testing for a methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Which is the best response by the nurse?
"This is a preventative measure and a part of routine care."
"Any active infection would disqualify you as a donor recipient."
"If positive, you would need treatment for MRSA infection before the procedure."
"There are too many risk factors involved with performing a transplantation on a person with
an active MRSA infection." - correct answer "Any active infection would disqualify you as a
donor recipient."
Because an active infection, including MRSA infection, is an absolute contraindication for a
heart transplantation, the nurse's best response is to explain the necessity of MRSA testing
prior to a heart transplantation.
Question 2 of 3
Which statements are true regarding ethical aspects of heart transplantation decisions?
Select all that apply.
The patient must show evidence of providing informed consent.
Next of kin are legal decision-makers in the absence of advance directives.
A patient is considered legally competent to make decisions by signaling yes or no.
End-of-life decisions cannot be made in the absence of a next of kin and an advance directive.
Past preferences and behaviors cannot provide evidence to support end-of-life decisions. -
correct answer The patient must show evidence of providing informed consent.
Ethical aspects of heart transplantation decisions include that the family consents to treatment
if the patient is unable to consent (due to decreased decision-making capability).
Next of kin are legal decision-makers in the absence of advance directives.
Next of kin may be considered the legal decision makers in the absence of advance directives if
the patient is unable to make decisions for himself.
A patient is considered legally competent to make decisions by signaling yes or no.
,BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
Ethical aspects of heart transplantation decisions include that the patient is able to make a
choice free from coercion to either have (or to not have) the procedure.
Question 3 of 3
The nurse is teaching a heart transplantation patient about bridge transplantation devices
(BTTs). Which statement shows that the patient understands the purpose of BTTs?
"BTTs are only for long-term therapy."
"BTTs can repair the ventricular function."
"BTTs are used to improve cardiac output."
"BTTs are used for all types of heart failure." - correct answer "BTTs are used to improve cardiac
output."
BTTs are used to improve cardiac output before or after heart transplantation, or as a
permanent device if the patient is not a candidate for a heart transplantation.
Question 1 of 3
The nurse is caring for a patient who had heart transplantation surgery 2 weeks ago and now
has abnormal endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) results. Which nursing action is the priority?
Schedule an EMB for next week
Call the laboratory technician to repeat the test
Assess the patient's vital signs and oxygen level
Review the patient's medication regimen and dosage - correct answer Assess the patient's vital
signs and oxygen level
The nurse should be aware that abnormal EMB results indicate possible rejection of the donor
heart, which would place the patient in a compromised perfusion status. Assessing the patient's
perfusion through vital signs and oxygen saturation checks is the priority.
Question 2 of 3
A patient has arrived in the critical care transplantation unit immediately following heart
transplantation surgery. Which action by the nurse is a priority?
Check emergency equipment
Assess the patient's pain level
Obtain an endomyocardial biopsy
,BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
Assist with application of the cardiac bypass machine - correct answer Check emergency
equipment
Because a patient after heart transplantation surgery is at risk for sudden cardiac death,
checking emergency equipment is a priority nursing intervention for the patient immediately
after heart transplantation surgery.
Question 3 of 3
The nurse is caring for a patient who had heart transplantation surgery 2 days earlier. The nurse
obtains the following vital signs: temperature 101.0o F, HR 90, and oxygen saturation 95% on
room air. Which nursing action is a priority?
Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Administer an antipyretic for fever
Call provider to report the vital signs
Assess the transplantation incision site - correct answer Assess the transplantation incision site
Because heart transplantation patients are at increased risk for infection after surgery,
assessing the surgical site in a patient with elevated temperature is the priority nursing
intervention.
Summary
Heart transplantation is a complex procedure that is performed as a life-saving treatment in
critically ill patients with cardiac disease. This surgery is appropriate for individuals who meet
certain criteria. In addition to medical indications, legal and ethical principles such as informed
consent, patient and family expectations, and adherence to hospital policies are part of the
evaluation process. Two surgical procedures are necessary in heart transplantation: the
removal of the heart from the donor, and the transplantation of the heart into the recipient.
The donor must be declared brain dead in order for the heart to be harvested. The nurse plays
a critical role in assessing and educating patients who are waiting to receive, and those who
have received, a donor heart. The most important post-transplantation concerns are
prevention of organ rejection and secondary infection. Patient education about what - correct
answer
Question 1 of 9
A patient with end-stage heart disease asks, "After I meet the physical criteria for a heart
transplantation, will I then be selected as a candidate?" Which response from the nurse is the
most appropriate?
"Your medical status alone determines if you are a candidate."
, BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
"The provider will make that determination based on your need."
"You will also need to demonstrate you have adequate support."
"The selection is a long process, and another physical assessment will be required." - correct
answer "You will also need to demonstrate you have adequate support."
Patients must meet physical and psychologic criteria to ensure that they are candidates for a
heart transplantation.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is reviewing potential candidates for heart transplantation. Which patients have
contraindications for undergoing heart transplantation?
Select all that apply.
A homeless patient with allergies
A patient with history of pneumonia
An obese patient with a BMI of 42 kg/m2
A patient with breast cancer in remission
A patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) - correct answer A homeless patient with
allergies
The homeless status of the patient is a relative contraindication to undergoing a heart
transplantation, as the patient has no support system to provide assistance post-surgery.
An obese patient with a BMI of 42 kg/m2
Morbid obesity (BMI of ≥40 kg/m2) is a relative contraindication to undergoing a heart
transplantation. This is due to poor outcomes from long wait times related to challenges in
identifying appropriately size-matched donors and longer-term morbidity.
A patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM)
Uncontrolled DM is a relative contraindication to undergoing a heart transplantation, as
patients with DM are at greater risk of lower survival rate.
Question 3 of 9
Heart Transplantation
Question 1 of 3
A 22-year-old patient is diagnosed with terminal heart failure and starts the screening process
for a heart transplantation. The patient questions the necessity of testing for a methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Which is the best response by the nurse?
"This is a preventative measure and a part of routine care."
"Any active infection would disqualify you as a donor recipient."
"If positive, you would need treatment for MRSA infection before the procedure."
"There are too many risk factors involved with performing a transplantation on a person with
an active MRSA infection." - correct answer "Any active infection would disqualify you as a
donor recipient."
Because an active infection, including MRSA infection, is an absolute contraindication for a
heart transplantation, the nurse's best response is to explain the necessity of MRSA testing
prior to a heart transplantation.
Question 2 of 3
Which statements are true regarding ethical aspects of heart transplantation decisions?
Select all that apply.
The patient must show evidence of providing informed consent.
Next of kin are legal decision-makers in the absence of advance directives.
A patient is considered legally competent to make decisions by signaling yes or no.
End-of-life decisions cannot be made in the absence of a next of kin and an advance directive.
Past preferences and behaviors cannot provide evidence to support end-of-life decisions. -
correct answer The patient must show evidence of providing informed consent.
Ethical aspects of heart transplantation decisions include that the family consents to treatment
if the patient is unable to consent (due to decreased decision-making capability).
Next of kin are legal decision-makers in the absence of advance directives.
Next of kin may be considered the legal decision makers in the absence of advance directives if
the patient is unable to make decisions for himself.
A patient is considered legally competent to make decisions by signaling yes or no.
,BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
Ethical aspects of heart transplantation decisions include that the patient is able to make a
choice free from coercion to either have (or to not have) the procedure.
Question 3 of 3
The nurse is teaching a heart transplantation patient about bridge transplantation devices
(BTTs). Which statement shows that the patient understands the purpose of BTTs?
"BTTs are only for long-term therapy."
"BTTs can repair the ventricular function."
"BTTs are used to improve cardiac output."
"BTTs are used for all types of heart failure." - correct answer "BTTs are used to improve cardiac
output."
BTTs are used to improve cardiac output before or after heart transplantation, or as a
permanent device if the patient is not a candidate for a heart transplantation.
Question 1 of 3
The nurse is caring for a patient who had heart transplantation surgery 2 weeks ago and now
has abnormal endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) results. Which nursing action is the priority?
Schedule an EMB for next week
Call the laboratory technician to repeat the test
Assess the patient's vital signs and oxygen level
Review the patient's medication regimen and dosage - correct answer Assess the patient's vital
signs and oxygen level
The nurse should be aware that abnormal EMB results indicate possible rejection of the donor
heart, which would place the patient in a compromised perfusion status. Assessing the patient's
perfusion through vital signs and oxygen saturation checks is the priority.
Question 2 of 3
A patient has arrived in the critical care transplantation unit immediately following heart
transplantation surgery. Which action by the nurse is a priority?
Check emergency equipment
Assess the patient's pain level
Obtain an endomyocardial biopsy
,BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
Assist with application of the cardiac bypass machine - correct answer Check emergency
equipment
Because a patient after heart transplantation surgery is at risk for sudden cardiac death,
checking emergency equipment is a priority nursing intervention for the patient immediately
after heart transplantation surgery.
Question 3 of 3
The nurse is caring for a patient who had heart transplantation surgery 2 days earlier. The nurse
obtains the following vital signs: temperature 101.0o F, HR 90, and oxygen saturation 95% on
room air. Which nursing action is a priority?
Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Administer an antipyretic for fever
Call provider to report the vital signs
Assess the transplantation incision site - correct answer Assess the transplantation incision site
Because heart transplantation patients are at increased risk for infection after surgery,
assessing the surgical site in a patient with elevated temperature is the priority nursing
intervention.
Summary
Heart transplantation is a complex procedure that is performed as a life-saving treatment in
critically ill patients with cardiac disease. This surgery is appropriate for individuals who meet
certain criteria. In addition to medical indications, legal and ethical principles such as informed
consent, patient and family expectations, and adherence to hospital policies are part of the
evaluation process. Two surgical procedures are necessary in heart transplantation: the
removal of the heart from the donor, and the transplantation of the heart into the recipient.
The donor must be declared brain dead in order for the heart to be harvested. The nurse plays
a critical role in assessing and educating patients who are waiting to receive, and those who
have received, a donor heart. The most important post-transplantation concerns are
prevention of organ rejection and secondary infection. Patient education about what - correct
answer
Question 1 of 9
A patient with end-stage heart disease asks, "After I meet the physical criteria for a heart
transplantation, will I then be selected as a candidate?" Which response from the nurse is the
most appropriate?
"Your medical status alone determines if you are a candidate."
, BSN 366 Week 11 Heart Failure 130 questions with 100% verified answers
"The provider will make that determination based on your need."
"You will also need to demonstrate you have adequate support."
"The selection is a long process, and another physical assessment will be required." - correct
answer "You will also need to demonstrate you have adequate support."
Patients must meet physical and psychologic criteria to ensure that they are candidates for a
heart transplantation.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is reviewing potential candidates for heart transplantation. Which patients have
contraindications for undergoing heart transplantation?
Select all that apply.
A homeless patient with allergies
A patient with history of pneumonia
An obese patient with a BMI of 42 kg/m2
A patient with breast cancer in remission
A patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) - correct answer A homeless patient with
allergies
The homeless status of the patient is a relative contraindication to undergoing a heart
transplantation, as the patient has no support system to provide assistance post-surgery.
An obese patient with a BMI of 42 kg/m2
Morbid obesity (BMI of ≥40 kg/m2) is a relative contraindication to undergoing a heart
transplantation. This is due to poor outcomes from long wait times related to challenges in
identifying appropriately size-matched donors and longer-term morbidity.
A patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM)
Uncontrolled DM is a relative contraindication to undergoing a heart transplantation, as
patients with DM are at greater risk of lower survival rate.
Question 3 of 9
