Heart Failure and Diuretics Practice Questions (Optional)

A client is taking spironolactone (Aldactone) for edema. The nurse identifies the client's potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. With this finding which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask? "Are you experiencing any leg cramps?" "Is your urine dark?" "Do you use a salt substitute?" "Are you weighing yourself daily?"

"Do you use a salt substitute?" The client is experiencing hyperkalemia. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It is important to ask about dietary intake of potassium (including salt substitutes since many contain potassium). Daily weight, urine color, and leg cramps are not related to hyperkalemia.

he nurse identifies the therapeutic range for digoxin as: 2 to 3 ng/mL. 0.8 to 2 ng/mL. 3 to 4 ng/mL. 0.1 to 0.9 ng/mL.

0.8 to 2 ng/mL

A male client has called the clinic because he is taking digoxin and is concerned about his pulse rate. The nurse should tell the client to hold the medication if he reports a pulse rate of: 84 beats/minute. 52 beats/minute. 66 beats/minute. 78 beats/minute.

52 beats/minute.

A nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client with edema who is prescribed a diuretic. Which teaching should the nurse prioritize? Administer early in the day. Gradually increase the dosage. Encourage exercise. Decrease fluid intake.

Administer early in the day. The drug should be administered early in the day to prevent any nighttime sleep disturbance caused by increased urination. Asking the client to decrease fluid intake may contribute to fluid and electrolyte imbalance. The drug should be used as directed without the client making any adjustments to the dosage. The client should remain as active as possible, depending on their overall condition; however, exercise is not a priority in this situation.

A client is being treated for heart failure. What assessment finding would the nurse interpret as most indicative of improved health status? Decreased pitting edema Improved sensorium Increased skin turgor Heart rate of 52

Decreased pitting edema

A client has edema of the lower extremities with crackles in the lung bases. What diuretic is most likely to be prescribed for a client assessed with lower extremity edema and bilateral lung crackles? Spironolactone Furosemide Mannitol Hydrochlorothiazide

Furosemide

The client has crackles in the lower lobes of the lungs, an audible S3, and pitting edema in the feet and ankles. What condition is the client most likely experiencing? Myocardial infarction Liver disease Pneumonia Heart failure

Heart failure

A resident of a long-term care facility receives 12.5 mg metoprolol (Lopressor) at 8 AM and 8 PM daily. Before administering this drug, the nurse should perform and document what assessment findings? Heart rate and blood pressure Level of consciousness and pain level Oxygen saturation and respiratory rate Temperature and respiratory rate

Heart rate and blood pressure

A primary health care provider has prescribed a loop diuretic for hypertension in a client with diabetes mellitus. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize? Sudden increase in weight Increased blood glucose levels Occurrence of gout attacks Sudden pain in the joints

Increased blood glucose levels

Which would a nurse expect to assess if a client is experiencing right-sided heart failure? Dyspnea Peripheral edema Wheezing Hemoptysis

Peripheral edema

The pharmacology instructor is discussing effects on the heart of different medication. What is the term the instructor would use to describe the effect of a medication that increases the force of the contractions of the heart? Positive inotropic Negative dromotropic Positive chronotropic Negative inotropic

Positive inotropic

A client began taking hydrochlorothiazide 1 week ago and is reporting occasional dizziness when standing up quickly from sitting or lying. What is the nurse's best action? Arrange for the client's potassium levels to be assessed as soon as possible. Tell the client to withhold the medication until the client can be assessed by the primary health care provider. Educate the client about the need for bed rest until the body adjusts to the new medication. Teach the client about the blood pressure effects of the medication and relevant safety measures.

Teach the client about the blood pressure effects of the medication and relevant safety measures.

The nurse is caring for a client with peripheral edema and has just begun taking a diuretic. What assessment should the nurse use to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication? Select all that apply. daily weights urine output inspection of the lower extremities level of consciousness chest auscultation

daily weights urine output inspection of the lower extremities

A client being treated for hypokalemia has a medication history that includes propranolol, digoxin, and warfarin. When the client reports nausea, abdominal discomfort, and visual changes, the nurse suspects what as the causative factor? myocardial infarction digitalis toxicity acute renal failure heart failure

digitalis toxicity

A client is admitted to the emergency department with pulmonary edema. What diuretic does the nurse expect the health care provider to prescribe to achieve rapid therapeutic effect? Thiazide Loop diuretic Potassium-sparing diuretic Osmotic diuretic

loop diuretic

The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing pulmonary edema. The client is treated with furosemide. What will the nurse monitor most closely? bone narrow function calcium levels potassium levels sodium levels

potassium levels