Care of Patients with Cardiac Problems Exam Preparation
CARE OF PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC PROBLEMS EXAM
PREPARATION NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |BRAND
NEW VERSION!!
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. For which clinical
manifestations should the nurse assess? (Select all that apply.)
a. Pulmonary crackles
b. Confusion, restlessness
c. Pulmonary hypertension
d. Dependent edema
e. Cough that worsens at night
ANS: A, B, E
Left-sided heart failure occurs with a decrease in contractility of the heart or an
increase in afterload. Most of the signs will be noted in the respiratory system.
Right-sided heart failure occurs with problems from the pulmonary vasculature
onward including pulmonary hypertension. Signs will be noted before the right
atrium or ventricle including dependent edema.
2. A nurse evaluates laboratory results for a client with heart failure. Which results
should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
a. Hematocrit: 32.8%
b. Serum sodium: 130 mEq/L
c. Serum potassium: 4.0 mEq/L
d. Serum creatinine: 1.0 mg/dL
e. Proteinuria
f. Microalbuminuria
ANS: A, B, E, F
A hematocrit of 32.8% is low (should be 42.6%), indicating a dilutional ratio of red
blood cells to fluid. A serum sodium of 130 mEq/L is low because of hemodilution.
1|Page
, Care of Patients with Cardiac Problems Exam Preparation
Microalbuminuria and proteinuria are present, indicating a decrease in renal
filtration. These are early warning signs of decreased compliance of the heart. The
potassium level is on the high side of normal and the serum creatinine level is
normal.
3. A nurse assesses clients on a cardiac unit. Which clients should the nurse
identify as at greatest risk for the development of acute pericarditis? (Select all
that apply.)
a. A 36-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
b. A 42-year-old man recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery
c. A 59-year-old woman recovering from a hysterectomy
d. An 80-year-old man with a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract
e. An 88-year-old woman with a stage III sacral ulcer
ANS: A, B, D
Acute pericarditis is most commonly associated acute exacerbations of systemic
connective tissue disease, including SLE; with Dressler's syndrome, or
inflammation of the cardiac sac after cardiac surgery or a myocardial infarction;
and with infective organisms, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Abdominal and reproductive surgeries and pressure ulcers do not increase clients'
risk for acute pericarditis.
4. After teaching a client with congestive heart failure (CHF), the nurse assesses
the client's understanding. Which client statements indicate a correct
understanding of the teaching related to nutritional intake? (Select all that apply.)
a. "I'll read the nutritional labels on food items for salt content."
b. "I will drink at least 3 liters of water each day."
c. "Using salt in moderation will reduce the workload of my heart."
d. "I will eat oatmeal for breakfast instead of ham and eggs."
e. "Substituting fresh vegetables for canned ones will lower my salt intake."
ANS: A, D, E
Nutritional therapy for a client with CHF is focused on decreasing sodium and
water retention to decrease the workload of the heart. The client should be
2|Page
, Care of Patients with Cardiac Problems Exam Preparation
taught to read nutritional labels on all food items, omit table salt and foods high in
sodium (e.g., ham and canned foods), and limit water intake to a normal 2 L/day.
5. A nurse collaborates with an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to provide
care for a client with congestive heart failure. Which instructions should the nurse
provide to the UAP when delegating care for this client? (Select all that apply.)
a. "Reposition the client every 2 hours."
b. "Teach the client to perform deep-breathing exercises."
c. "Accurately record intake and output."
d. "Use the same scale to weigh the client each morning."
e. "Place the client on oxygen if the client becomes short of breath."
ANS: A, C, D
The UAP should reposition the client every 2 hours to improve oxygenation and
prevent atelectasis. The UAP can also accurately record intake and output, and use
the same scale to weigh the client each morning before breakfast. UAPs are not
qualified to teach clients or assess the need for and provide oxygen therapy.
6. A nurse prepares to discharge a client who has heart failure. Based on the Heart
Failure Core Measure Set, which actions should the nurse complete prior to
discharging this client? (Select all that apply.)
a. Teach the client about dietary restrictions.
b. Ensure the client is prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor.
c. Encourage the client to take a baby aspirin each day.
d. Confirm that an echocardiogram has been completed.
e. Consult a social worker for additional resources.
ANS: A, B, D
The Heart Failure Core Measure Set includes discharge instructions on diet,
activity, medications, weight monitoring and plan for worsening symptoms,
evaluation of left ventricular systolic function (usually with an echocardiogram),
and prescribing an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. Aspirin is not
part of the Heart Failure Core Measure Set and is usually prescribed for clients
who experience a myocardial infarction. Although the nurse may consult the social
3|Page
CARE OF PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC PROBLEMS EXAM
PREPARATION NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |BRAND
NEW VERSION!!
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. For which clinical
manifestations should the nurse assess? (Select all that apply.)
a. Pulmonary crackles
b. Confusion, restlessness
c. Pulmonary hypertension
d. Dependent edema
e. Cough that worsens at night
ANS: A, B, E
Left-sided heart failure occurs with a decrease in contractility of the heart or an
increase in afterload. Most of the signs will be noted in the respiratory system.
Right-sided heart failure occurs with problems from the pulmonary vasculature
onward including pulmonary hypertension. Signs will be noted before the right
atrium or ventricle including dependent edema.
2. A nurse evaluates laboratory results for a client with heart failure. Which results
should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
a. Hematocrit: 32.8%
b. Serum sodium: 130 mEq/L
c. Serum potassium: 4.0 mEq/L
d. Serum creatinine: 1.0 mg/dL
e. Proteinuria
f. Microalbuminuria
ANS: A, B, E, F
A hematocrit of 32.8% is low (should be 42.6%), indicating a dilutional ratio of red
blood cells to fluid. A serum sodium of 130 mEq/L is low because of hemodilution.
1|Page
, Care of Patients with Cardiac Problems Exam Preparation
Microalbuminuria and proteinuria are present, indicating a decrease in renal
filtration. These are early warning signs of decreased compliance of the heart. The
potassium level is on the high side of normal and the serum creatinine level is
normal.
3. A nurse assesses clients on a cardiac unit. Which clients should the nurse
identify as at greatest risk for the development of acute pericarditis? (Select all
that apply.)
a. A 36-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
b. A 42-year-old man recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery
c. A 59-year-old woman recovering from a hysterectomy
d. An 80-year-old man with a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract
e. An 88-year-old woman with a stage III sacral ulcer
ANS: A, B, D
Acute pericarditis is most commonly associated acute exacerbations of systemic
connective tissue disease, including SLE; with Dressler's syndrome, or
inflammation of the cardiac sac after cardiac surgery or a myocardial infarction;
and with infective organisms, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Abdominal and reproductive surgeries and pressure ulcers do not increase clients'
risk for acute pericarditis.
4. After teaching a client with congestive heart failure (CHF), the nurse assesses
the client's understanding. Which client statements indicate a correct
understanding of the teaching related to nutritional intake? (Select all that apply.)
a. "I'll read the nutritional labels on food items for salt content."
b. "I will drink at least 3 liters of water each day."
c. "Using salt in moderation will reduce the workload of my heart."
d. "I will eat oatmeal for breakfast instead of ham and eggs."
e. "Substituting fresh vegetables for canned ones will lower my salt intake."
ANS: A, D, E
Nutritional therapy for a client with CHF is focused on decreasing sodium and
water retention to decrease the workload of the heart. The client should be
2|Page
, Care of Patients with Cardiac Problems Exam Preparation
taught to read nutritional labels on all food items, omit table salt and foods high in
sodium (e.g., ham and canned foods), and limit water intake to a normal 2 L/day.
5. A nurse collaborates with an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to provide
care for a client with congestive heart failure. Which instructions should the nurse
provide to the UAP when delegating care for this client? (Select all that apply.)
a. "Reposition the client every 2 hours."
b. "Teach the client to perform deep-breathing exercises."
c. "Accurately record intake and output."
d. "Use the same scale to weigh the client each morning."
e. "Place the client on oxygen if the client becomes short of breath."
ANS: A, C, D
The UAP should reposition the client every 2 hours to improve oxygenation and
prevent atelectasis. The UAP can also accurately record intake and output, and use
the same scale to weigh the client each morning before breakfast. UAPs are not
qualified to teach clients or assess the need for and provide oxygen therapy.
6. A nurse prepares to discharge a client who has heart failure. Based on the Heart
Failure Core Measure Set, which actions should the nurse complete prior to
discharging this client? (Select all that apply.)
a. Teach the client about dietary restrictions.
b. Ensure the client is prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor.
c. Encourage the client to take a baby aspirin each day.
d. Confirm that an echocardiogram has been completed.
e. Consult a social worker for additional resources.
ANS: A, B, D
The Heart Failure Core Measure Set includes discharge instructions on diet,
activity, medications, weight monitoring and plan for worsening symptoms,
evaluation of left ventricular systolic function (usually with an echocardiogram),
and prescribing an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. Aspirin is not
part of the Heart Failure Core Measure Set and is usually prescribed for clients
who experience a myocardial infarction. Although the nurse may consult the social
3|Page
