Heart Failure — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Pump fails → congestionAlso known as: CHF · congestive heart failure · left-sided heart failure · right-sided heart failure
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Heart Failure on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Types
- Left → pulmonary congestion
- Right → peripheral edema, JVD
🩺 Signs
- Dyspnea, crackles, orthopnea
- Pink frothy sputum = pulm edema
- Weight gain, JVD, ↑ BNP
✅ Do
- High Fowler's, O2, daily weight
- Low Na+ diet, fluid restrict
- Report > 2-3 lb/day gain
🧪 Meds
- ACE/ARB, beta-block, diuretics
- Digoxin, monitor K+ levels
📚 Heart Failure — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- Left-sided: dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles, pink frothy sputum, fatigue
- Right-sided: peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, weight gain, ascites, hepatomegaly
- Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid status (1 kg ≈ 1 L fluid)
- Elevated BNP supports the diagnosis
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- Place in high-Fowler's position and give oxygen to ease dyspnea
- Daily weights, strict I&O, low-sodium diet, fluid restriction as ordered
- Give diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, and beta blockers as prescribed
- Monitor potassium with loop diuretics; watch for digoxin response
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Sudden weight gain > 2–3 lb in a day or 5 lb in a week — report it
- Pink frothy sputum and severe dyspnea signal pulmonary edema — emergency
Labs & values
Numbers to know- BNP elevated in heart failure (> 100 pg/mL)
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Weigh yourself daily at the same time and report rapid gains
- Limit sodium; take medications even when feeling well
❓ Heart Failure: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Heart Failure?
Place in high-Fowler's position and give oxygen to ease dyspnea. Daily weights, strict I&O, low-sodium diet, fluid restriction as ordered. Give diuretics, ACE inhibitors/ARBs, and beta blockers as prescribed. Monitor potassium with loop diuretics; watch for digoxin response.
What are the warning signs of Heart Failure a nurse must report?
Sudden weight gain > 2–3 lb in a day or 5 lb in a week — report it. Pink frothy sputum and severe dyspnea signal pulmonary edema — emergency.
What do I need to know about Heart Failure for the NCLEX?
Left-sided: dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles, pink frothy sputum, fatigue. Right-sided: peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, weight gain, ascites, hepatomegaly. Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid status (1 kg ≈ 1 L fluid). Elevated BNP supports the diagnosis.
What patient teaching is important for Heart Failure?
Weigh yourself daily at the same time and report rapid gains. Limit sodium; take medications even when feeling well.
Quick Tip
Left-sided: dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles, pink frothy sputum, fatigue.
📖 Related Topics
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