A patient with heart failure has a decreasing cardiac output. The nurse will expect compensatory mechanisms to be activated in order to:

Question

1. Decrease the heart rate
2. Maintain perfusion to vital organs
3. Cause arteriolar vasodilation in nonessential vascular beds
4. Inhibit the release of aldosterone

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Compensatory mechanisms will increase the heart rate.
Rationale 2: As the heart function fails and cardiac output decreases, compensatory mechanisms are activated to maintain perfusion to the vital organs.
Rationale 3: Compensatory mechanisms will cause arteriolar vasoconstriction in nonessential vascular beds.
Rationale 4: Compensatory mechanisms will lead to the release of aldosterone.