Pediatric NCLEX Questions Related

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A patient is admitted to a medical unit with a diagnosis of heart failure. The patient reports that she has had increasing fatigue during the past 2 weeks. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this fatigue?

  • A. Dyspnea
  • B. Decreased cardiac output
  • C. Dry cough
  • D. Orthopnea
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Fatigue in a patient with heart failure is commonly caused by decreased cardiac output. In heart failure, the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's demands, resulting in reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. This can lead to generalized weakness and fatigue. Dyspnea (choice A) is commonly associated with heart failure but is more specific to difficulty breathing, while a dry cough (choice C) is a symptom that can be present but is not typically the primary cause of fatigue. Orthopnea (choice D) is a symptom of heart failure characterized by difficulty breathing when lying flat but is not directly related to the patient's increasing fatigue in this scenario.