Author Question: A nurse is discussing heart failure with a group of nursing students. Which statement by a student ... (Read 79 times)

ereecah · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is discussing heart failure with a group of nursing students. Which statement by a student reflects an understanding of how compensatory mechanisms can compound existing problems in patients with heart failure?

a. An increase in arteriolar tone to improve tissue perfusion can decrease resistance.
b. An increase in contractility to increase cardiac output can cause pulmonary edema.
c. When the heart rate increases to increase cardiac output, it can prevent adequate filling of the ventricles.
d. When venous tone increases to increase ventricular filling, an increase in arterial pressure occurs.

Question 2

A diabetic patient is recovering from a myocardial infarction but does not have symptoms of heart failure. The nurse will expect to teach this patient about:

a. ACE inhibitors and beta blockers.
b. biventricular pacemakers.
c. dietary supplements and exercise.
d. diuretics and digoxin.

fatboyy09 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The heart rate increases to improve cardiac output, but it may prevent adequate ventricular filling. An increase in arteriole tone improves tissue perfusion but also increases both the resistance to the pumping of the heart and the cardiac workload. Increased contractility helps improve cardiac output but is detrimental because it increases the oxygen demand of the heart. An increase in venous tone improves ventricular filling but, as the ventricles fail, blood can back up and cause pulmonary edema.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
This patient is classified as having Stage B heart failure with no current symptoms but with structural heart disease strongly associated with the development of heart failure. Treatment at this stage includes an ACE inhibitor and a beta blocker to help prevent the progression of symptoms. Biventricular pacemakers are used for patients in Stage C heart failure and have more advanced structural disease and symptoms. Dietary supplements and exercise have not been proven to prevent structural heart disease. Diuretics and digoxin are used for patients with Stage C heart failure.