HEART FAILURE NCLEX EXAM LATEST VERSION
2025-2026 ACTUAL EXAM 120 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
Overview
Developed for nursing students and professionals, this resource mirrors the structure, scope,
and complexity of NCLEX-style questions related to heart failure assessment, interventions,
pharmacology, and patient care. It strengthens understanding of pathophysiology, nursing
priorities, and clinical judgment, helping learners build both competence and confidence for
NCLEX success.
Key Features
✅ 120 Verified Heart Failure NCLEX Questions with Detailed Rationales
✅ Updated for 2025–2026 NCLEX Standards
✅ A+ Graded Content for 100% verified accuracy and reliability
✅ Real NCLEX-Style Format for authentic test practice
✅ Comprehensive Coverage of cardiac nursing and heart failure management
Purpose
• To provide a verified and thorough review of heart failure nursing concepts
• To enhance clinical reasoning and test-taking skills for NCLEX success
• To help nursing students achieve A+-level exam results through accurate, rationale-based
learning
Recommended For
• Nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exams
• Nurse educators and tutors developing cardiac nursing review materials
• Learners seeking verified practice questions with detailed rationales
• Healthcare professionals refreshing their knowledge of cardiac care and heart failure
management
,✅ Your Complete Heart Failure NCLEX Review Resource
With 120 verified and correct answers with rationales, the Heart Failure NCLEX Exam
2025–2026 Study Guide is your most accurate, current, and comprehensive tool for
mastering cardiac nursing concepts and passing the NCLEX with confidence.
The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation that takes digoxin and a
thiazide diuretic. Which statement made by the patient indicates that the patient is experiencing a
complication related to the medication?
"My ankles are still slightly swollen."
"I have to urinate a lot after I take those pills!"
"I'm not really hungry for lunch. I feel so nauseated and tired."
"I check my heart rate regularly. It is usually 80-90 beats per minute." - answer-"I'm not really hungry
for lunch. I feel so nauseated and tired."
Drug therapy with digoxin and potassium-losing diuretics (thiazides or loop diuretics) may lead to
hypokalemia. The presence of hypokalemia while the patient is on digoxin may lead to digoxin toxicity.
Signs of early digoxin toxicity include anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, depression, and
visual changes. Slightly swollen ankles are an expected finding with chronic heart failure; frequent
urination is an expected effect of the diuretic. The heart rate of 90 beats/minute is normal. p. 748
A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure (ACHF). The
primary health care provider prescribes a continuous intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
Monitor urinary output.
Monitor blood pressure.
Check serum potassium level.
Assess the skin surrounding the intravenous (IV) site. - answer-monitor BP
A patient newly diagnosed with heart failure is being discharged from the hospital. Which health care
team member frequently works with protocols set up with the patient's health care provider to identify
problems and start interventions?
Physical therapist
,Home health nurse
Occupational therapist
Social services provider - answer-Home health nurses frequently work with protocols set up with the
patient's health care provider. The protocols help the patient to identify problems, such as an increase
in weight or dyspnea, both of which are symptoms of worsening heart failure. Physical therapy or
occupational therapy may not be needed. Social services can assist with obtaining community resources
the patient may need. p. 752
The nurse recognizes that a primary goal for a patient with chronic heart failure is what?
Maximizing cardiac output
Maintaining an ideal body weight
Performing daily aerobic exercises
Maintaining a steady pulse oximetry reading - answer-An increase in cardiac output helps overcome
chronic heart failure, thereby maintaining the blood flow to meet the body's demand. Being overweight
is just one risk factor for chronic heart failure; maintaining ideal body weight may not be a goal for some
patients. Performing daily aerobic exercises may be too strenuous on the heart. There are many risk
factors to consider when determining treatment goals. Pulse oximetry is used to monitor the
effectiveness of oxygen therapy, and achievement of a steady reading is not a practical or primary goal.
p. 746
A patient who underwent cardiac transplantation exhibits signs of acute rejection. The nurse recognizes
that which medication is often used as posttransplantation therapy to prevent this type of response?
Ibuprofen
Metoprolol
Tacrolimus
Acetaminophen - answer-Tacrolimus is a calcineurin that is included in most immunosuppressive
regimens. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain. Metoprolol is a
beta-blocker that is used to treat hypertension. Acetaminophen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
(NSAID) that is used to treat pain and fever. p. 754
A patient with cardiac failure is scheduled to receive sodium nitroprusside. The nurse should monitor
what parameter while administering the drug to the patient?
Blood pressure
Body temperature
, Heart rate and pulse rate
Central venous pressure - answer-Symptomatic hypotension is a major adverse effect of sodium
nitroprusside; therefore, blood pressure is continuously monitored in patients taking sodium
nitroprusside. Body temperature, heart rate, and central venous pressure are not altered due to
administration of this drug. p. 745
The nurse reviews the teaching plan that has been created for a patient with chronic heart failure that is
being discharged from the hospital. The nurse should question which item that is listed on the plan?
Eat small, frequent meals.
Obtain the annual flu vaccine.
Avoid extremes of heat and cold.
Immediately report a weight gain of 5 pounds in 2 days. - answer-The patient should be instructed to
immediately report a weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days, or 3-5 pounds in a week. Eating small, frequent
meals is a component of the dietary therapy. The patient should be instructed to receive the annual flu
vaccination for health promotion. The patient should be instructed to avoid extremes of heat and cold,
to prevent stress on the heart. P. 751
The nurse is caring for a patient with manifestations of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). What
is the prioritynursing assessment?
Lung sounds
Facial swelling
Level of anxiety
Intake and output - answer-The priority nursing assessment is auscultation of lung sounds. Excess fluid
volume often leads to pulmonary congestion. ADHF can manifest as pulmonary edema. Facial swelling is
a possible side effect with prescribed renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors for heart failure. It is
important to assess the patient's anxiety, but it is not the priority. Assessing intake and output is
important for right-sided heart failure.
p. 741
The nurse reviews the laboratory results of a patient with heart failure (HF) who receives a prescription
for digoxin. The nurse decides to withhold the medication based on abnormal findings of what blood
study?
Potassium
Thyroid function tests
2025-2026 ACTUAL EXAM 120 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
Overview
Developed for nursing students and professionals, this resource mirrors the structure, scope,
and complexity of NCLEX-style questions related to heart failure assessment, interventions,
pharmacology, and patient care. It strengthens understanding of pathophysiology, nursing
priorities, and clinical judgment, helping learners build both competence and confidence for
NCLEX success.
Key Features
✅ 120 Verified Heart Failure NCLEX Questions with Detailed Rationales
✅ Updated for 2025–2026 NCLEX Standards
✅ A+ Graded Content for 100% verified accuracy and reliability
✅ Real NCLEX-Style Format for authentic test practice
✅ Comprehensive Coverage of cardiac nursing and heart failure management
Purpose
• To provide a verified and thorough review of heart failure nursing concepts
• To enhance clinical reasoning and test-taking skills for NCLEX success
• To help nursing students achieve A+-level exam results through accurate, rationale-based
learning
Recommended For
• Nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exams
• Nurse educators and tutors developing cardiac nursing review materials
• Learners seeking verified practice questions with detailed rationales
• Healthcare professionals refreshing their knowledge of cardiac care and heart failure
management
,✅ Your Complete Heart Failure NCLEX Review Resource
With 120 verified and correct answers with rationales, the Heart Failure NCLEX Exam
2025–2026 Study Guide is your most accurate, current, and comprehensive tool for
mastering cardiac nursing concepts and passing the NCLEX with confidence.
The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation that takes digoxin and a
thiazide diuretic. Which statement made by the patient indicates that the patient is experiencing a
complication related to the medication?
"My ankles are still slightly swollen."
"I have to urinate a lot after I take those pills!"
"I'm not really hungry for lunch. I feel so nauseated and tired."
"I check my heart rate regularly. It is usually 80-90 beats per minute." - answer-"I'm not really hungry
for lunch. I feel so nauseated and tired."
Drug therapy with digoxin and potassium-losing diuretics (thiazides or loop diuretics) may lead to
hypokalemia. The presence of hypokalemia while the patient is on digoxin may lead to digoxin toxicity.
Signs of early digoxin toxicity include anorexia, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, headache, depression, and
visual changes. Slightly swollen ankles are an expected finding with chronic heart failure; frequent
urination is an expected effect of the diuretic. The heart rate of 90 beats/minute is normal. p. 748
A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure (ACHF). The
primary health care provider prescribes a continuous intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
Monitor urinary output.
Monitor blood pressure.
Check serum potassium level.
Assess the skin surrounding the intravenous (IV) site. - answer-monitor BP
A patient newly diagnosed with heart failure is being discharged from the hospital. Which health care
team member frequently works with protocols set up with the patient's health care provider to identify
problems and start interventions?
Physical therapist
,Home health nurse
Occupational therapist
Social services provider - answer-Home health nurses frequently work with protocols set up with the
patient's health care provider. The protocols help the patient to identify problems, such as an increase
in weight or dyspnea, both of which are symptoms of worsening heart failure. Physical therapy or
occupational therapy may not be needed. Social services can assist with obtaining community resources
the patient may need. p. 752
The nurse recognizes that a primary goal for a patient with chronic heart failure is what?
Maximizing cardiac output
Maintaining an ideal body weight
Performing daily aerobic exercises
Maintaining a steady pulse oximetry reading - answer-An increase in cardiac output helps overcome
chronic heart failure, thereby maintaining the blood flow to meet the body's demand. Being overweight
is just one risk factor for chronic heart failure; maintaining ideal body weight may not be a goal for some
patients. Performing daily aerobic exercises may be too strenuous on the heart. There are many risk
factors to consider when determining treatment goals. Pulse oximetry is used to monitor the
effectiveness of oxygen therapy, and achievement of a steady reading is not a practical or primary goal.
p. 746
A patient who underwent cardiac transplantation exhibits signs of acute rejection. The nurse recognizes
that which medication is often used as posttransplantation therapy to prevent this type of response?
Ibuprofen
Metoprolol
Tacrolimus
Acetaminophen - answer-Tacrolimus is a calcineurin that is included in most immunosuppressive
regimens. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain. Metoprolol is a
beta-blocker that is used to treat hypertension. Acetaminophen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
(NSAID) that is used to treat pain and fever. p. 754
A patient with cardiac failure is scheduled to receive sodium nitroprusside. The nurse should monitor
what parameter while administering the drug to the patient?
Blood pressure
Body temperature
, Heart rate and pulse rate
Central venous pressure - answer-Symptomatic hypotension is a major adverse effect of sodium
nitroprusside; therefore, blood pressure is continuously monitored in patients taking sodium
nitroprusside. Body temperature, heart rate, and central venous pressure are not altered due to
administration of this drug. p. 745
The nurse reviews the teaching plan that has been created for a patient with chronic heart failure that is
being discharged from the hospital. The nurse should question which item that is listed on the plan?
Eat small, frequent meals.
Obtain the annual flu vaccine.
Avoid extremes of heat and cold.
Immediately report a weight gain of 5 pounds in 2 days. - answer-The patient should be instructed to
immediately report a weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days, or 3-5 pounds in a week. Eating small, frequent
meals is a component of the dietary therapy. The patient should be instructed to receive the annual flu
vaccination for health promotion. The patient should be instructed to avoid extremes of heat and cold,
to prevent stress on the heart. P. 751
The nurse is caring for a patient with manifestations of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). What
is the prioritynursing assessment?
Lung sounds
Facial swelling
Level of anxiety
Intake and output - answer-The priority nursing assessment is auscultation of lung sounds. Excess fluid
volume often leads to pulmonary congestion. ADHF can manifest as pulmonary edema. Facial swelling is
a possible side effect with prescribed renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors for heart failure. It is
important to assess the patient's anxiety, but it is not the priority. Assessing intake and output is
important for right-sided heart failure.
p. 741
The nurse reviews the laboratory results of a patient with heart failure (HF) who receives a prescription
for digoxin. The nurse decides to withhold the medication based on abnormal findings of what blood
study?
Potassium
Thyroid function tests
