Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

A patient with dilated cardiomyopathy is showing signs of heart failure. What should the nurse anticipate administering?

1. Administration of captopril

2. Insertion of a temporary left ventricular assist device

3. Loading the patient with digoxin

4. Preparation for dynamic cardiomyopathy procedure

The correct answer is: Administration of captopril

In the context of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy showing signs of heart failure, the administration of captopril is often indicated. Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that works by relaxing blood vessels, which helps to reduce the workload on the heart and improve symptoms of heart failure. By inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, captopril decreases vasoconstriction and reduces fluid retention, thereby improving cardiac output and overall patient stability. The use of captopril aligns with standard heart failure management protocols, especially in patients with systolic dysfunction, such as those with dilated cardiomyopathy. ACE inhibitors like captopril have been shown to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. While inserting a temporary left ventricular assist device may be necessary in severe cases of heart failure or cardiogenic shock, this is generally reserved for advanced or acute cases. Loading the patient with digoxin is not first-line therapy anymore in acute management, as it primarily helps with rate control and may not provide immediate symptom relief. Preparation for a dynamic cardiomyopathy procedure does not typically align with immediate nursing interventions for heart failure management and is less common in practice. Therefore, the administration