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A client with right-sided heart failure is admitted to the medical-surgical unit. What information obtained from the client may indicate the presence of edema?
- A. The client says that he has been urinating less frequently at night.
- B. The client says he has been hungry in the evening.
- C. The client says his rings have become tight and are difficult to remove.
- D. The client says he is short of breath when ambulating.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients may observe that rings, shoes, or clothing have become tight. The client would most likely be urinating more frequently in the evening. Accumulation of blood in abdominal organs may cause anorexia, nausea, flatulence, and a decrease in hunger. Shortness of breath with ambulation would occur most often in left-sided heart failure.
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A client diagnosed with heart failure has been admitted to the ICU prior to invasive treatment. What treatment could be considered curative for this client?
- A. Cardiomyoplasty
- B. External pacemaker placement
- C. Surgical ventricular restoration
- D. Ventricular assist device
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A procedure known as surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) decreases the size of the heart to a near normal size and shape by removing dysfunctional heart muscle that does not contract properly. Once the adynamic (nonfunctioning) area is removed, the ventricle is repaired with a patch. In the cases that were studied, 91% were free of congestive heart failure after surgery with an ejection fraction that increased from 30% to 40%. A cardiomyoplasty, placement of an external pacemaker, or a ventricular assist device are not considered curative for heart failure.
A client with left-sided heart failure is in danger of impaired renal perfusion. How would the nurse assess this client for impaired renal perfusion?
- A. Assess for reduced urine output.
- B. Assess for reduced blood sodium levels.
- C. Assess for elevated blood potassium levels.
- D. Assess for elevated blood urea nitrogen levels.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Elevated blood urea nitrogen indicates impaired renal perfusion in a client with left-sided heart failure. Serum sodium levels may be elevated. Reduced urine output or elevated blood potassium levels do not indicate impaired renal perfusion in a client with left-sided heart failure.
A client is awaiting the availability of a heart for transplant. What option may be available to the client as a bridge to transplant?
- A. Implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
- B. Pacemaker
- C. Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)
- D. Ventricular assist device (VAD)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: VADs may be used for one of three purposes: (1) a bridge to recovery, (2) a bridge to transport, or (3) destination therapy (mechanical circulatory support when there is no option for a heart transplant). An implanted cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker is not a bridge to transplant and will only correct the conduction disturbance and not the pumping efficiency. An IABP is a temporary, secondary mechanical circulatory pump to supplement the ineffectual contraction of the left ventricle. The IABP is intended for only a few days.
The nurse is obtaining data on an older adult client. What finding may indicate to the nurse the early symptom of heart failure?
- A. Decreased urinary output
- B. Dyspnea on exertion
- C. Hypotension
- D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure produces hypoxemia as a result of reduced cardiac output of arterial blood and respiratory symptoms. Many clients notice unusual fatigue with activity. Some find exertional dyspnea to be the first symptom. An increase in urinary output may be seen later as fluid accumulates. Hypotension would be a later sign of decompensating heart failure as well as tachycardia.
A client in the hospital informs the nurse he 'feels like his heart is racing and can't catch his breath.' What does the nurse understand occurs as a result of a tachyarrhythmia?
- A. It causes a loss of elasticity in the myocardium.
- B. It reduces ventricular ejection volume.
- C. It increases afterload.
- D. It increases preload.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing ventricular ejection volume because diastole, during which the ventricle fills with blood (preload), is shortened as a result of a tachyarrhythmia. Causing a loss of elasticity in the muscle is a result of cardiomyopathy. Afterload is decreased not increased.