ATI Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam I Related

Review ATI Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam I related questions and content

A patient diagnosed with Heart Failure would like the nurse to explain what the diagnosis means. How will the nurse explain heart failure?

  • A. The heart muscle cannot pump effectively, causing a backup of blood.
  • B. Increased protein leads to reduced oncotic pressure and inability to pull the fluid into the system.
  • C. The hydrostatic pressure pushing fluids out of the capillary is lower than the oncotic pressure.
  • D. The decrease in venous pressure from the backup of blood increases hydrostatic pressure.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The heart muscle cannot pump effectively, causing a backup of blood. This is the most accurate explanation of heart failure. In heart failure, the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to a backup of blood in the circulatory system. This can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.

Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect:
B: Increased protein leading to reduced oncotic pressure is not a direct cause of heart failure.
C: This choice describes the forces involved in fluid movement, not the primary mechanism of heart failure.
D: Heart failure causes a backup of blood, which in turn increases venous pressure, not the other way around.

In summary, choice A is correct as it directly addresses the primary issue of heart failure, while the other choices focus on different physiological processes not directly related to heart failure.