Heart Failure NCLEX Questions 71-75

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Complete NCLEX Study Materials


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71. The nurse has applied the prescribed dressing to the leg of a client with an ischemic arterial leg ulcer. The nurse should use which of the following methods to cover the dressing?

a) apply a kerlix roll and tape it to the skin
b) apply a large, soft pad, and tape it to the skin
c) apply small Montgomery straps and tie the edges together
d) apply a Kling roll and tape the edge of the roll onto the bandage

72. A client develops bilateral wheezes, crackles from bases to apices, orthopnea, and tachypnea, and the nurse notes the presence of +2 pitting edema. The nurse suspects pulmonary edema and notifies the physician. While awaiting the physician's arrival, the nurse avoids which action?

a) elevating the client's legs
b) preparing to administer IV morphine sulfate
c) preparing to administer IV furosemide (Lasix)
d) placing the client in the high Fowler's position

73. Heart Failure NCLEX Questions about the nurse who is caring for a client scheduled to undergo a cardiac catheterization for the first time. The nurse tells the client that the:

a) procedure is performed in the operating room
b) initial catheter insertion is quite painful; after that, there is little or no pain
c) client may feel fatigue and have various aches, because it is necessary to lie quietly on a hard x-ray table for about 4 hours
d) client may feel certain sensations at various points during the procedure, such as a fluttery feeling, flushed warm feeling, desire to cough, or palpitations


74. A nurse admits a client with myocardial infarction (MI) to the coronary care unit (CCU). The nurse plans to do which of the following in delivering care to this client?

a) begin thrombolytic therapy
b) place the client on continuous cardiac monitoring
c) infuse intravenous (IV) fluid at a rate of 150 ml per hour
d) administer oxygen at a rate of 6 liters per minute by nasal cannula

75. The nurse is analyzing an ECG rhythm strip on an assigned client. The nurse notes that there are three small boxes from the beginning of the "P" wave to the "R" wave. The nurse records that the client's PR interval is:

a) 0.12 second
b) 0.20 second
c) 0.24 second
d) 0.40 second





Heart Failure NCLEX Questions
Answers and Rationale

71) D
- With an arterial leg ulcer, the nurse applies tape only to the bandage. Tape is never used directly on the skin because it could cause further tissue damage. For the same reason, Montgomery straps could not be applied to the skin (although these are generally intended for use on abdominal wounds, anyway). Standard dressing technique includes the use of Kling rolls on circumferential dressings.

72) A
- Elevating the client's legs would rapidly increase venous return to the right side of the heart and worsen the client's condition. The feet should be in the horizontal position, or the client could dangle at the bedside if the client's condition permits. Anxiety causes an increase in the oxygen demands on the heart. Morphine sulfate reduces anxiety and causes peripheral vasodilation and is likely to be prescribed. Furosemide will be prescribed because of its diuretic action. A high Fowler's position increases the thoracic capacity, allowing for improved ventilation.

73) D
- Heart Failure NCLEX Questions Rationale: Preprocedure teaching points include that the procedure is done in a darkened cardiac catheterization room and that ECG leads are attached to the client. A local anesthetic is used so there is little to no pain with catheter insertion. The X-ray table is hard and may be tilted periodically. The procedure may take up to 2 hours, and the client may feel various sensations with catheter passage and dye injection.

74) B
- Standard interventions upon admittance to the CCU as they relate to this question include continuous cardiac monitoring, administering oxygen at a rate of 2 to 4 liters per minute unless otherwise ordered, and ensuring an adequate IV line insertion of an intermittent lock. If an IV infusion is administered, it is maintained at a keep vein open rate to prevent fluid overload and heart failure. Thrombolytic therapy may or may not be prescribed by the physician. Thrombolytic agents are most effective if administered within the first 6 hours of the coronary event.

75) A
- Standard ECG graph paper measurements are 0.04 second for each small box on the horizontal axis (measuring time) and 1 mm (measuring voltage) for each small box on the vertical axis.


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Heart Failure NCLEX Questions 1-5

Cardiac Nurse Education (66-70)

Welcome to Cardiac Nurse Education. Before you begin answering the questions, you may first want to take a peek about the material that will surely help you the pass the NCLEX examination :

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66. The nurse is preparing to initiate an intravenous nitroglycerin drip on a client with acute myocardial infarction. In the absence of an invasive (arterial) monitoring line, the nurse prepares to have which piece of equipment for use at the bedside?

a) defibrillator
b) pulse oximeter
c) central venous pressure (CVP) tray
d) noninvasive blood pressure monitor

67. A client is in ventricular tachycardia and the physician orders intravenous (IV) lidocaine (xylocaine). The nurse plans to dilute the concentrated solution of lidocaine with:

a) lactated ringer's
b) normal saline 0.9%
c) 5% dextrose in water
d) normal saline 0.45%

68. A client who recently experienced a myocardial infarction is scheduled to have a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The nurse plans to teach the client that, during this procedure, a balloon-tipped catheter will:

a) inflate a meshlike device that will spring open
b) be used to compress the plaque against the coronary blood vessel wall
c) cut away the plaque from the coronary vessel wall using a cutting blade
d) be positioned in coronary artery to take pressure measurements in the vessel

69. A nurse is planning care for the client with heart failure. The nurse asks the dietary department to remove which item from all meal trays before delivering them to the client?

a) 1% milk
b) margarine
c) salt packets
d) decaffeinated tea


70. A client has just been admitted to the emergency department with chest pain. Serum enzyme levels are drawn, and the results indicate an elevated serum creatinine kinase (CK)-MB isoenzyme, troponin T, and troponin I. The nurse concludes that these results are compatible with:

a) stable angina
b) unstable angina
c) prinzmetal's angina
d) new-onset myocardial infarction (MI)







Cardiac Nurse Education
Answers and Rationale

66) D
- Nitroglycerin dilates both arteries and veins, causing peripheral blood pooling, thus reducing preload, afterload, and myocardial workload. This action accounts for the primary side effect of nitroglycerin, which is hypotension. In the absence of an arterial monitoring line, the nurse should have a noninvasive blood pressure monitor for use at the bedside.

67) C
- Lidocaine for IV administration is dispensed in concentrated and dilute formulations. The concentrated formulation must be diluted with 5% dextrose in water.

68) B
- In PTCA, a balloon-tipped catheter is used to compress the plaque against the coronary blood vessel wall. Option C describes coronary atherectomy, option A describes placement of a coronary stent, and option D describes part of the process used in cardiac catheterization.

69) C
- Sodium restriction reduces water retention and improves cardiac efficiency. A standard dietary modification for the client with heart failure is sodium restriction.

70) D
- Creatine kinase (CK)-MB isoenzyme is a sensitive indicator of myocardial damage. Levels begin to rise 3 to 6 hours after the onset of chest pain, peak at approximately 24 hours, and return to normal in about 3 days. Troponin is a regulatory protein found in striated muscle (skeletal and myocardial). Increased amounts of troponins are released into the bloodstream when an infarction causes damage to the myocardium. Therefore, the client's results are compatible with new-onset MI. Options A, B, and C all refer to angina. These levels would not be elevated in angina.



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Cardiac Nurse Education (1-5)


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Cardiac Nurse Education (71-75)

Cardiac Nurse Education (61-65)

Welcome to Cardiac Nurse Education. Before you begin answering the questions, you may first want to take a peek about the material that will surely help you the pass the NCLEX examination :

Complete NCLEX Study Materials


Enjoy answering and I hope that NCLEX Review and Secrets can somehow help you in your future examination. Good Luck


61. The nurse notes an isolated premature ventricular contraction (PVC) on the cardiac monitor. The appropriate nursing action is to:

a) prepare for defibrillation
b) continue to monitor the rhythm
c) notify the physician immediately
d) prepare to administer lidocaine hydrochloride (xylocaine)

62. The nurse is caring for a client who has been transferred to the surgical unit after having a pelvic exenteration. During the postoperative period, the client complains of pain in the calf area. What action should the nurse take?

a) ask the client to walk and observe the gait
b) lightly massage the calf area to relieve the pain
c) check the calf area for temperature, color, and size
d) administer prn morphine as prescribed for postoperative pain

63. A client has developed atrial fibrillation and has a ventricular rate of 150 bpm. The nurse assesses the client for:

a) flat neck veins
b) nausea and vomiting
c) hypotension and dizziness
d) hypertension and headache

64. A 45 year old client is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of recurrent runs of ventricular tachycardia noted on Holter monitoring. The client is scheduled for electrophysiology studies (EPS) the following morning. Which statement should the nurse include in a teaching plan for this client?

a) you will continue to take your medications until the morning of the test
b) you will be sedated during the procedure and will not remember what has happened
c) this test is a noninvasive method of determining the effectiveness of your medication
d) during the procedure, a special wire is used to increase the heart rate and produce the irregular beats that caused your signs and symptoms

65. A nurse is providing diet teaching to a client with congestive heart failure (CHF). The nurse tells the client to avoid which of the following?

a) sherbet
b) steak sauce
c) apple juice
d) leafy green vegetables






Cardiac Nurse Education
Answers and Rationale

61) B
- As an isolated occurrence, the PVC is not life threatening. In this situation, the nurse should continue to monitor the client. Frequent PVCs, however, may be precursors of more life-threatening rhythms, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. If this occurs, the physician needs to be notified.

62) C
- The nurse monitors for postoperative complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, and wound infection. Pain in the calf area could indicate a deep vein thrombosis. Change in color, temperature, or size of the client's calf could also indicate this complication. Options A and B could result in an embolus if in fact the client had a deep vein thrombosis. Administering pain medication for this client complaint is not the appropriate nursing action. Further assessment needs to take place.

63) C
- The client with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate over 100 beats per minute is at risk for low cardiac output caused by loss of atrial kick. The nurse assesses the client for palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, hypotension, pulse deficit, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, syncope, shortness of breath, and distended neck veins.

64) D
- The purpose of EPS is to study the heart's electrical system. During this invasive procedure, a special wire is introduced into the heart to produce dysrhythmias. To prepare for this procedure, the client should be NPO for 6 to 8 hours before the test, and all antidysrhythmics are held for at least 24 hours before the test in order to study the dysrhythmias without the influence of medications. Because the client's verbal responses to the rhythm changes are extremely important, sedation is avoided if possible.

65) B
- Steak sauce is high in sodium. Leafy green vegetables, any juice (except tomato or V8 brand vegetable), and sherbet are all low in sodium. Clients with CHF should monitor sodium intake.


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Cardiac Nurse Education (1-5)


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Cardiac Nurse Education (66-70)

Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions (76-80)

Welcome to Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions. Enjoy answering and I hope that NCLEX Review and Secrets can somehow help you in your future examination. 
Good Luck.


76. The nurse is assessing the client who has just been measured and fitted for crutches. The nurse determines that the client's crutches are fitted correctly if:

a) the top of the crutch is even with the axilla
b) the elbow is straight when the hands is on the handgrip
c) the client's axilla is resting on the crutch pad during ambulation
d) the elbow is at a 30-degree angle when the hand is on the handgrip

77. The nurse is assigned to care for a client who is in traction. The nurse ensures a safe environment for the client by:

a) making sure that the knots are at the pulleys
b) checking the weights to be sure that they are off the floor
c) making sure that the head of the bed is kept at a 90-degree angle
d) monitor the weights to be sure that they are resting on a firm surface

78. Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions  about a client with a possible rib fracture who has never had a chest x-ray. The nurse plans to tell the client which of the following about the procedure?

a) the x-ray stimulates a small amount of pain
b) the client will be asked to breathe in and out continuously during the x-ray
c) the x-ray technologist will stand next to the client during the x-ray
d) it is necessary to remove jewelry and any other metal objects from the chest area

79. The nurse has an order to get the client out of bed to a chair on the first postoperative day following total knee replacement. The nurse plans to do which of the following to protect the knee joint?

a) apply a compression dressing and put ice on the knee while sitting
b) obtain a walker to minimize weigh-bearing by the client on the affected leg
c) lift the client to the bedside chair, leaving the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine
d) apply a knee immobilizer before getting the client up and elevate the client's surgical leg while sitting

80. The nurse is conducting a health screening clinic for osteoporosis. The nurse determines that which client seen in the clinic is at the greatest risk of developing this disorder?

a) a 25-year old female who jogs
b) a 36-year old male who has asthma
c) a 70-year old male who consumes excess alcohol
d) a sedentary 65-year old female who smokes cigarettes





Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions
Answers and Rationale

76) D
- For optimal upper extremity leverage, the elbow should be at approximately 30 degrees of flexion when the hand is resting on the handgrip. The top of the crutch needs to be two to three finger widths lower than the axilla. When crutch walking, all weight needs to be on the hands to prevent nerve palsy from pressure on the axilla.

77) B
- To achieve proper traction, weights need to be free-hanging, with knots kept away from the pulleys. Weights are not to be kept resting on a firm surface. The head of the bed is usually kept low to provide countertraction.

78) D
- Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions Rationale - An x-ray is a photographic image of a part of the body on a special film, which is used to diagnose a wide variety of conditions. Any radiopaque objects such as jewelry or other metal must be removed from the chest area because they will interfere with the interpretation of the results. The x-ray is painless, and any discomfort would arise from repositioning a painful part for filming. The nurse may premedicate a client, if prescribed, who is at risk for pain. The client is asked to breathe in deeply and then hold the breath while the chest x-ray is taken. To minimize the risk of radiation exposure, the x-ray technologist stands in a separate area protected by a lead wall. The client also wears a lead shield over the reproductive organs.

79) D
- The nurse assists the client to get out of bed on the first postoperative day after putting a knee immobilizer on the affected joint to provide stability. The surgeon orders the weight-bearing limits on the affected leg. The leg is elevated while the client is sitting in the chair to minimize edema. Ice is not used unless prescribed. A compression dressing should already be in place on the wound. A CPM machine is used only while the client is in bed.

80) D
- Risk factors for osteoporosis include being female, postmenopausal status, advanced age, low-calcium diet, excessive alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyle, and cigarette smoking. The long-term use of corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, and furosemide (Lasix) also increase the risk.


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Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions (1-8)