Which term is the label for a condition where the heart cannot pump efficiently?

• A. Constrict
• B. COPD
• C. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• D. Conduct

Answer: (C)

When the heart isn’t able to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, the label used is congestive heart failure. This term captures the idea that the heart’s pumping efficiency is reduced, leading to poorer circulation and often fluid buildup in tissues and lungs. In nursing care, recognizing CHF means watching for signs like shortness of breath, tiredness, leg or abdominal swelling, sudden weight gain, and lung crackles. Monitoring fluid status, daily weights, and intake and output helps track how well the heart is managing fluids.

Constrict, COPD, and conduct aren’t the right labels for a pumping problem. Constrict isn’t a standard diagnosis describing how well the heart pumps. COPD is a lung disease, not a heart-pumping condition. Conduct refers to the heart’s electrical system, not to its ability to pump blood effectively. So the term that best fits the scenario is congestive heart failure.