Chapter 38: Heart Failure pt. ii Flashcards
What is the primary cause of heart failure (HF)?
a) High cholesterol
b) Myocardial insult
c) Diabetes
d) Obesity
b) Myocardial insult
Which term describes the percentage of total blood volume in the left ventricle (LV) at the end of diastole that is pumped out of the LV with the next systole?
a) Cardiac output (CO)
b) Stroke volume (SV)
c) Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
d) End-diastolic volume (EDV)
c) Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
Which condition is NOT commonly associated with heart failure (HF)
a) Hypertension (HTN)
b) Coronary artery disease (CAD)
c) Myocardial infarction (MI)
d) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
d) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Why is heart failure (HF) considered a major health problem in the United States?
a) It primarily affects young adults.
b) Its incidence is decreasing over time.
c) It is the most common reason for hospital admission in adults over the age of 65.
d) It is exclusively caused by genetic factors.
c) It is the most common reason for hospital admission in adults over the age of 65.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is due to a defect in which function?
a) Ventricular diastolic function/filling
b) Ventricular systolic function/contraction
c) Atrial contraction
d) Venous return
b) Ventricular systolic function/contraction
What are the primary risk factors for heart failure (HF)?
a) Diabetes and obesity
b) Hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD)
c) Advanced age and smoking
d) Vascular disease and metabolic syndrome
b) Hypertension (HTN) and coronary artery disease (CAD)
Which factor is considered a modifiable risk factor for HF and should be aggressively treated?
a) Coronary artery disease (CAD)
b) Hypertension (HTN)
c) Diabetes
d) Advanced age
b) Hypertension (HTN)
Which of the following conditions does NOT contribute to the development of heart failure (HF)?
a) Septal defects
b) Sarcoidosis
c) Viral myocarditis
d) Chronic kidney disease
d) Chronic kidney disease
What does the cardiac output (CO) depend on?
a) Afterload, myocardial contractility, heart rate (HR), and stroke volume (SV)
b) Myocardial contractility, ejection fraction, stroke volume (SV), and preload
c) Preload, stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction, and heart rate (HR)
d) Preload, afterload, myocardial contractility, and heart rate (HR)
d) Preload, afterload, myocardial contractility, and heart rate (HR)
What is the genetic basis of certain cardiomyopathies that lead to heart failure (HF)?
a) Autosomal recessive traits
b) X-linked recessive traits
c) Autosomal dominant traits with variable genetic expression
d) Mitochondrial DNA mutations
c) Autosomal dominant traits with variable genetic expression
Which of the following best describes the hallmark of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)?
A. Increased blood pressure and volume retention
B. Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
C. Increased preload and ventricular contractility
D. Normal LVEF and preserved diastolic function
B. Decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
What is the primary cause of right-sided heart failure (HF)?
A. Left-sided HF
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Myocardial infarction of the right ventricle
D. Cor pulmonale
A. Left-sided HF
A patient with heart failure experiences peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and jugular venous distention (JVD). These findings are consistent with which of the following?
A. Left-sided HF
B. HFrEF only
C. Right-sided HF
D. HFpEF only
C. Right-sided HF
A patient with HF presents with pulmonary congestion and edema. Which type of HF is most likely present?
A. Right-sided HF
B. Biventricular HF
C. Left-sided HF
D. Diastolic dysfunction only
C. Left-sided HF
HF and __________ involves fluid and sodium retention.
A. Baroreceptor stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
B. Release of catecholamines
C. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
D. Ventricular hypertrophy
C. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
Patients with HFpEF typically have which characteristic?
A. Low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
B. Stiff and noncompliant left ventricle
C. Increased afterload due to valvular disease
D. High blood pressure without fluid overload
B. Stiff and noncompliant left ventricle
Which of the following is a common cause of HFpEF?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Cardiomyopathy
C. Chronic hypertension
D. Pulmonary embolism
C. Chronic hypertension
What is a potential consequence of chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in HF?
A. Reduced heart rate (chronotropy)
B. Decreased myocardial oxygen demand
C. Increased ventricular dilation
D. Increased myocardial oxygen demand
D. Increased myocardial oxygen demand
Which finding is typically observed in biventricular HF?
A. Only left ventricular dysfunction
B. Decreased systemic venous pressure
C. Dysfunction of both ventricles and systemic venous engorgement
D. Reduced perfusion to only the lungs
C. Dysfunction of both ventricles and systemic venous engorgement
What clinical manifestation would most likely occur due to increased pulmonary hydrostatic pressure in left-sided HF?
A. Pulmonary congestion
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
A. Pulmonary congestion
Continuous activation of the RAAS in HF can lead to which of the following?
A. Improved myocardial function
B. Sodium excretion and reduced fluid volume
C. Myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy
D. Decreased aldosterone production
C. Myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy
The primary goal of RAAS activation in HF is to:
A. Reduce preload and maintain CO
B. Increase preload and ventricular contractility to maintain CO
C. Decrease peripheral vascular resistance
D. Decrease blood pressure and heart rate
B. Increase preload and ventricular contractility to maintain CO
A patient with HF develops hyponatremia. What is the primary cause of this electrolyte imbalance in HF?
A. Reduced aldosterone levels
B. Decreased renin release
C. Ventricular hypertrophy
D. Increased fluid retention due to ADH secretion
D. Increased fluid retention due to ADH secretion
Which of the following best describes ventricular remodeling in HF?
A. Rapid improvement in heart function due to neurohormonal responses
B. Changes in myocardial structure due to compensatory mechanisms
C. Reduced sympathetic nervous system activation
D. Decreased end-diastolic volume
B. Changes in myocardial structure due to compensatory mechanisms
Which clinical manifestation is most commonly associated with right-sided heart failure?
a. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
b. Pulmonary congestion
c. Dyspnea on exertion
d. Orthopnea
a. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to fluid backing up into the venous system, causing signs such as peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and jugular venous distention.
Which compensatory mechanism is aimed at increasing preload and ventricular contractility in heart failure?
a. Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation
b. Release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
c. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation
d. Ventricular hypertrophy
c. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation
Which peptide is released in response to increased cardiac wall stretching in heart failure?
a. Endothelin
b. Aldosterone
c. Catecholamines
d. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
d. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
What is the primary hormonal effect of natriuretic peptides in heart failure?
a. Increased aldosterone secretion
b. Stimulation of renin secretion
c. Inhibition of aldosterone and renin secretion
d. Stimulation of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release
c. Inhibition of aldosterone and renin secretion
Which condition is characterized by an enlarged left ventricle due to chronic pressure overload?
a. Hypertrophy
b. Remodeling
c. Dilation
d. Endothelin release
a. Hypertrophy
Which substance, released during heart failure, has a vasoconstrictive effect but depresses ventricular contractility?
a. Prostaglandin
b. Nitric oxide
c. Endothelin
d. BNP
c. Endothelin
Continuous activation of the SNS in heart failure can lead to which adverse effect?
a. Increased myocardial oxygen demand
b. Vasodilation
c. Decreased afterload
d. Increased serum sodium
a. Increased myocardial oxygen demand
What is the main compensatory response of baroreceptors to low arterial pressure?
a. Increase in catecholamine release
b. Vasodilation
c. Inhibition of RAAS
d. Promotion of myocardial fibrosis
a. Increase in catecholamine release
Which substance acts as a counterregulatory mechanism by promoting vasodilation and decreasing afterload?
a. Aldosterone
b. Nitric oxide
c. Renin
d. Angiotensin II
b. Nitric oxide
Which complication is a common result of biventricular heart failure?
a. Peripheral vasodilation
b. Increased cardiac output
c. Systemic venous engorgement
d. Decreased BNP levels
c. Systemic venous engorgement
In the context of heart failure, what is the effect of aldosterone release on the kidneys?
a. Sodium excretion
b. Potassium retention
c. Sodium retention
d. Increased glomerular filtration rate
c. Sodium retention
What is the primary goal of RAAS activation in heart failure?
a. Increase afterload
b. Decrease blood pressure
c. Reduce ventricular hypertrophy
d. Increase preload and contractility
d. Increase preload and contractility
Which finding is characteristic of ventricular remodeling in heart failure?
a. Decreased ventricular mass
b. Enlargement and increased sphericity of the ventricles
c. Reduced myocardial fibrosis
d. Increased LVEF
b. Enlargement and increased sphericity of the ventricles
Which therapy is used to prevent or reverse ventricular remodeling in HF?
a. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
b. Calcium channel blockers
c. Loop diuretics
d. Antiarrhythmic drugs
a. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
Rationale: CRT and other therapies like ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers have been shown to improve outcomes by reducing or reversing ventricular remodeling.
What physiological change initially results from dilation of the heart chambers?
a. Decreased cardiac output
b. Increased afterload
c. Increased cardiac output
d. Myocyte apoptosis
c. Increased cardiac output
Which neurohormonal response in HF increases myocardial oxygen demand?
a. Release of aldosterone
b. Activation of natriuretic peptides
c. Prostaglandin release
d. Sympathetic nervous system stimulation
d. Sympathetic nervous system stimulation
What role do proinflammatory cytokines play in heart failure?
a. Enhance cardiac contractility
b. Decrease systemic inflammation
c. Increase LVEF
d. Promote myocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy
d. Promote myocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy
Which of the following substances stimulates renal tubular water reabsorption in HF?
a. Endothelin
b. BNP
c. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
d. Nitric oxide
c. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Which effect of chronic RAAS activation contributes to HF progression?
a. Decreased preload
b. Myocardial fibrosis
c. Improved ventricular compliance
d. Reduced afterload
b. Myocardial fibrosis
What is the role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the context of heart failure?
a. To decrease fluid retention
b. To increase sodium and water excretion
c. To increase preload and ventricular contractility
d. To reduce blood pressure through vasodilation
c. To increase preload and ventricular contractility
What effect does chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) have on the failing heart?
a. Reduces myocardial oxygen demand
b. Promotes vasodilation and decreases blood pressure
c. Increases myocardial oxygen demand and intensifies ventricular dysfunction
d. Stimulates the release of atrial natriuretic peptide
c. Increases myocardial oxygen demand and intensifies ventricular dysfunction
What triggers the release of endothelin in heart failure?
a. Hypoxia, ischemia, and inflammatory cytokines
b. Increased oxygen levels
c. Elevated atrial pressure
d. Low levels of aldosterone
a. Hypoxia, ischemia, and inflammatory cytokines
Rationale: Endothelin is a vasoconstrictive peptide released in response to factors like hypoxia, ischemia, and neurohormonal and inflammatory signals, which can negatively affect heart contractility.
What is the initial adaptive function of ventricular dilation in heart failure?
a. Reduces preload
b. Improves coronary artery circulation
c. Increases the force of contraction and cardiac output
d. Reduces the need for oxygen in cardiac tissue
c. Increases the force of contraction and cardiac output
Rationale: Ventricular dilation initially increases the heart’s contraction force by stretching myocardial fibers, which helps maintain cardiac output.
Which of the following is a counterregulatory mechanism that helps counteract the effects of the RAAS and SNS?
a. Natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP)
b. Activation of proinflammatory cytokines
c. Continuous release of aldosterone
d. Release of endothelin
a. Natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP)
Rationale: ANP and BNP work to reduce the effects of the RAAS and SNS by promoting natriuresis, diuresis, vasodilation, and reducing blood pressure.
What is acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) characterized by?
a. A sudden increase in HF symptoms and decreased functional status
b. Gradual worsening of heart failure symptoms over months
c. Exclusively pulmonary symptoms without systemic effects
d. Improved sodium excretion through the kidneys
a. A sudden increase in HF symptoms and decreased functional status
Which population is most frequently hospitalized for ADHF in the United States?
a. Children
b. Middle-aged adults
c. Older Americans
d. Pregnant women
c. Older Americans
What is the primary cause of pulmonary edema in ADHF?
a. Right-sided heart failure
b. Dehydration
c. Left-sided heart failure
d. Peripheral edema
c. Left-sided heart failure
- What clinical sign is most sensitive and specific for elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressures?
a. Crackles on lung auscultation
b. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
c. Pink, frothy sputum
d. Rapid heart rate
b. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
Which symptom may indicate the early stages of pulmonary congestion in ADHF?
a. Cyanosis
b. Coughing
c. Bradycardia
d. Warm extremities
b. Coughing
What typically happens when pulmonary venous pressure continues to rise beyond the lymphatic system’s capacity?
a. Fluid is effectively cleared by the lymphatics
b. The patient develops hypotension
c. Heart rate slows down significantly
d. Fluid moves into the interstitial space, causing interstitial edema
d. Fluid moves into the interstitial space, causing interstitial edema
Which of the following symptoms may be observed in patients with severe pulmonary edema?
a. Bright red sputum
b. Pink, frothy sputum
c. Yellow, thick sputum
d. Clear, watery sputum
b. Pink, frothy sputum
Which hemodynamic classification is the most common presentation in patients with ADHF?
a. Dry-cold
b. Wet-cold
c. Dry-warm
d. Wet-warm
d. Wet-warm
What does a “wet” patient in the context of ADHF indicate?
a. Volume overload with symptoms like congestion and dyspnea
b. The patient is experiencing excessive perspiration
c. The patient has a fever
d. Presence of hypotension and cool extremities
a. Volume overload with symptoms like congestion and dyspnea
Which respiratory sign is often seen in ADHF patients during auscultation of the lungs?
a. Absence of breath sounds
b. Wheezing and crackles
c. Clear lung fields
d. Dull percussion notes
b. Wheezing and crackles
Why might the absence of crackles not rule out ADHF in some patients?
a. It indicates a different underlying disease
b. Crackles are never a common sign in ADHF
c. Patients with chronic HF may develop increased lymphatic drainage of alveolar edema
d. It means the patient is fully compensated
c. Patients with chronic HF may develop increased lymphatic drainage of alveolar edema
What causes hoarseness (Ortner sign) in patients with ADHF?
a. Compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve from an enlarged left atrium
b. Fluid accumulation in the alveoli
c. Severe respiratory alkalosis
d. Sudden drop in blood pressure
a. Compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve from an enlarged left atrium
What happens to blood gases when fluid moves into the alveoli in ADHF?
a. PaO2 levels increase
b. PaCO2 levels decrease
c. Arterial blood gas values worsen, showing lower PaO2 and increased PaCO2
d. Respiratory alkalosis is maintained
c. Arterial blood gas values worsen, showing lower PaO2 and increased PaCO2
What is chronic heart failure primarily associated with?
a) Increased cardiac output (CO) and decreased venous pressure
b) Reduced cardiac output (CO) and increased venous pressure
c) Increased pulmonary function and muscle hypertrophy
d) Decreased inflammation and vasodilation
b) Reduced cardiac output (CO) and increased venous pressure
Rationale: Chronic HF is characterized by a progressive decline in CO and increased venous pressure, leading to neurohormonal and hemodynamic changes that drive disease progression.
Which compensatory mechanism occurs early in chronic HF to maintain cardiac output?
a) Decreased heart rate
b) Increased blood volume
c) Tachycardia
d) Vasodilation
c) Tachycardia
What is the primary cause of dyspnea in chronic HF patients?
a) Bronchial constriction
b) Increased pulmonary pressures from interstitial and alveolar edema
c) Hyperventilation
d) Reduced renal function
b) Increased pulmonary pressures from interstitial and alveolar edema
What does orthopnea, a type of dyspnea, indicate in chronic HF?
a) Increased renal perfusion
b) A decrease in cardiac output while standing
c) High sodium intake
d) Fluid redistribution from the legs to the lungs when lying down
d) Fluid redistribution from the legs to the lungs when lying down
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) caused by?
a) Increased fluid intake during the day
b) Fluid accumulation in the alveoli during a supine position
c) Stress-related respiratory distress
d) Airway inflammation
b) Fluid accumulation in the alveoli during a supine position
Why might chronic HF patients experience a chronic, nonproductive cough?
a) Pulmonary congestion
b) Increased mucus production
c) Allergic reactions
d) Bronchospasms
a) Pulmonary congestion
Which symptom may be seen as an early response to a reduced cardiac output?
a) Fatigue
b) Nausea
c) Increased appetite
d) Peripheral neuropathy
a) Fatigue
Rationale: Reduced CO and decreased blood flow to tissues cause fatigue and limited daily activity performance.
What are palpitations in chronic HF typically related to?
a) Chronic stress
b) Overhydration
c) High blood pressure
d) Dysrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF)
d) Dysrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF)
What is a possible indicator of volume overload in chronic HF?
a) Weight loss
b) Increased urine output during the day
c) Edema
d) Hypotension
c) Edema
Rationale: Fluid retention due to impaired renal and vascular function leads to peripheral and systemic edema.
Which of the following is a neurologic manifestation of chronic HF?
a) Night sweats
b) Dizziness and lightheadedness
c) Increased concentration
d) Decreased appetite
b) Dizziness and lightheadedness
Why might chronic HF patients experience mental status changes?
a) Cerebral hypoperfusion
b) Increased sympathetic stimulation
c) Chronic dehydration
d) Cerebral hypoperfusion and possible hypoxia
d) Cerebral hypoperfusion and possible hypoxia
What skin change is commonly observed in chronic HF patients?
a) Reddened, inflamed skin
b) Dusky or mottled skin
c) Yellowish tint to the eyes
d) Flushed cheeks
b) Dusky or mottled skin
What may cause chest pain in patients with chronic HF?
a) Reduced CO and myocardial stretch from volume overload
b) Excessive oxygen intake
c) High-sodium diet
d) Increased hemoglobin levels
a) Reduced CO and myocardial stretch from volume overload