A nurse in a cardiac care unit is caring for a client with acute right-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP).

Elevated central venous pressure (CVP).

Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Decreased specific gravity

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Right-sided heart failure is a condition in which the right ventricle fails to pump blood eﬀectively to the lungs, causing a backup of blood in the systemic circulation. This leads to increased pressure in the right atrium and the vena cava, which can be measured by the central venous pressure (CVP). A normal CVP is 2 to 6 mm Hg, but in right-sided heart failure, it can rise above 10 mm Hg. Symptoms of right-sided heart failure include peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, ascites, and weight gain.

a. Increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). This statement is incorrect because it describes a finding of left-sided heart failure, not right-sided heart failure. Left-sided heart failure is a condition in which the left ventricle fails to pump blood eﬀectively to the systemic circulation, causing a backup of blood in the pulmonary circulation. This leads to increased pressure in the left atrium and the pulmonary capillaries, which can be measured by the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). A normal PAWP is 6 to 12 mm Hg, but in left-sided heart failure, it can rise above 18 mm Hg. Symptoms of left-sided heart failure include dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, crackles in the lungs, and pink frothy sputum.

c. Decreased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). This statement is incorrect because it describes a finding of normal or reduced cardiac function, not heart failure. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone secreted by the cardiac cells in response to increased stretch and pressure in the ventricles. It acts as a diuretic and a vasodilator, lowering blood volume and blood pressure. BNP is used as a biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure, as it reﬂects the degree of ventricular dysfunction. A normal BNP level is less than 100 pg/mL, but in heart failure, it can rise above 400 pg/mL.

d. Decreased specific gravity. This statement is incorrect because it describes a finding of dilute urine, not concentrated urine. Specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in urine, reﬂecting the ability of the kidneys to regulate ﬂuid balance. A normal specific gravity is 1.005 to 1.030, but it can vary depending on ﬂuid intake and output, hydration status, and renal function. In right-sided heart failure, ﬂuid retention and reduced renal perfusion can cause oliguria and increased specific gravity of urine.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A headache is a common and expected adverse eﬀect of nitroglycerin, due to its vasodilating action. The client can take an over-the-counter analgesic to relieve the headache, unless contraindicated.

"A headache is an indication of an allergy to the medication." is not correct, as a headache is not a sign of an allergic reaction to nitroglycerin. An allergic reaction would manifest as rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

"A headache indicates tolerance to the medication." is not accurate, as a headache does not indicate tolerance to nitroglycerin. Tolerance would manifest as reduced or absent relief from anginal pain.

"A headache is likely due to the anxiety about the chest pain." is not plausible, as a headache is not likely due to the anxiety about the chest pain. Anxiety would manifest as nervousness, restlessness, palpitations, or sweating.

A. Cardiovascular disease B. Depression C. Thyroid disease D. Testicular cancer

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse should identify that this client has multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, obesity, and smoking. These factors can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Depression is wrong because it is not directly related to the client's physical examination findings. Depression may have other risk factors, such as genetics, stress, trauma, or substance abuse.

Thyroid disease is wrong because it is not directly related to the client's physical examination findings. Thyroid disease may have other risk factors, such as autoimmune disorders, iodine deficiency, or radiation exposure.

Testicular cancer is wrong because it is not directly related to the client's physical examination findings. Testicular cancer may have other risk factors, such as cryptorchidism, family

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse in a cardiac care unit is caring for a client with acute right-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who took 3 nitroglycerin tablets sublingually for chest pain. The client reports relief from the chest pain but now he is experiencing a headache. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who has angina pectoris about starting therapy with SL nitroglycerin tablets. The nurse should include which of the following instructions regarding how to take the medication?

A nurse is assessing a client who has right-sided heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization accessed through his femoral artery. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A nurse is caring for a client who has myasthenia gravis. The nurse should recognize that this disease is caused by which of the following types of hypersensitivities?

A nurse is interpreting the ECG strip of a client who has bradycardia. Which of the following cardiac components should the nurse identify as the role of the P wave?

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a seizure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?