A patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Which complications would the health care professional assess the patient for?

Left heart failure

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Right heart failure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Left heart failure: COPD primarily affects the lungs and increases pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to right-sided heart strain rather than left heart failure. Left heart failure is more commonly associated with conditions such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and valvular diseases, which impair the heart’s ability to pump blood systemically.

B. Restrictive cardiomyopathy: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle becomes stiff and loses its ability to relax and fill properly, often due to infiltrative diseases such as amyloidosis or sarcoidosis. COPD does not directly lead to restrictive cardiomyopathy, as its primary cardiovascular complication is increased pulmonary resistance causing right heart strain.

C. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, usually due to genetic mutations. It primarily affects the left ventricle and impairs diastolic filling. COPD does not cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as its cardiovascular effects are due to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular overload rather than structural abnormalities of the myocardium.

D. Right heart failure: Chronic COPD leads to persistent pulmonary hypertension due to hypoxic vasoconstriction and remodeling of pulmonary vessels. This increased pulmonary vascular resistance forces the right ventricle to work harder to pump blood into the lungs, leading to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventual right heart failure, also known as cor pulmonale. Symptoms include peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, and hepatomegaly due to systemic venous congestion.

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 ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Expecting copious amounts of frothy, pink sputum: This symptom is typically associated with left-sided heart failure or pulmonary edema, where fluid accumulates in the lungs, leading to the production of frothy, pink sputum. It is not a classic manifestation of right-sided heart failure.

B. Fine crackles throughout both lung fields: Fine crackles are more indicative of left-sided heart failure due to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). In right-sided heart failure, the primary issues relate more to systemic congestion rather than pulmonary congestion.

C. +pitting edema in lower extremities: Right-sided heart failure often leads to fluid retention and peripheral edema due to increased venous pressure. Pitting edema in the lower extremities is a common clinical manifestation in patients with cor pulmonale and right-sided heart failure.

D. Altered level of consciousness: This can occur due to decreased cardiac output and resulting reduced cerebral perfusion. In right-sided heart failure, especially in advanced stages, fluid overload can lead to increased intracranial pressure, contributing to altered mental status.

E. Jugular vein distention: Jugular vein distention is a classic sign of right-sided heart failure. Increased pressure in the right atrium due to fluid overload results in distended neck veins, indicating elevated venous pressure.

A. Veins that are most susceptible to a deep vein thrombosis are the peroneal, posterior tibial, popliteal and superficial femoral B. DVTS tend to mostly occur in the lower extremities but can occur in the upper extremities too C. A DVT is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is a blood clot that starts in the vein D. A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a low probability of becoming a pulmonary embolism

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Veins that are most susceptible to a deep vein thrombosis are the peroneal, posterior tibial, popliteal and superficial femoral: This statement is correct. These veins are indeed among the most common sites for the development of DVT.

B. DVTs tend to mostly occur in the lower extremities but can occur in the upper extremities too: This statement is also correct. While DVTs primarily occur in the lower extremities, they can occur in the upper extremities as well, particularly in individuals with risk factors such as central venous catheters or certain medical conditions.

C. A DVT is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is a blood clot that starts in the vein: This statement is correct. DVTs are indeed classified as venous thromboembolism, which refers to blood clots that form in the venous system.

D. A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a low probability of becoming a pulmonary embolism: This statement is incorrect. A deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity has a significant risk of becoming a pulmonary embolism if a thrombus dislodges and travels to the pulmonary circulation. It is essential to monitor and treat DVTs to reduce the risk of complications like pulmonary embolism.

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 patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Which complications would the health care professional assess the patient for?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Upon admission to the ICU, a client with a history of cor pulmonale will likely be exhibiting which clinical manifestations of right-sided heart failure? Select all that apply. (Select All that Apply.)

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

Which statement below is incorrect about a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Besides dyspnea, what is the most common characteristic associated with pulmonary disease?

A patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Which complications would the health care professional assess the patient for?

A disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum is the hallmark of which form of cardiomyopathy?

A patient has pleural effusion with empyema. The following are clinical manifestations except:

What is the initiating event that leads to the development of atherosclerosis?

What are the most common complications of myocardial infarction? (Select all that apply) (Select All that Apply.)

Which clinical manifestations would you assess for in a painter with pulmonary hypertension? (Select All that Apply.)

Which of the following are NOT typical signs and symptoms of pericarditis? (Select-all-that-apply) (Select All that Apply.)