A client with a history of rheumatic fever is diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis. The client has shortness of breath with exertion and fatigue. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
Elevated blood pressure.
Rapid, irregular heart rate.
Swollen feet and ankles.
Blood-tinged sputum.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Elevated blood pressure is a concern but not as immediately threatening as some other symptoms associated with mitral valve stenosis.
Choice B reason: A rapid, irregular heart rate could indicate atrial fibrillation, which is common in mitral valve stenosis, but it is not as urgent as blood-tinged sputum.
Choice C reason: Swollen feet and ankles suggest fluid retention, which is a concern in mitral valve stenosis but not as immediate as hemoptysis.
Choice D reason: Blood-tinged sputum indicates hemoptysis, which can be a sign of pulmonary edema or other serious complications requiring immediate intervention. This symptom is the most urgent and could signify a potentially life-threatening condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: While nutrition is important, a high-protein diet is not specific to the management of heart failure.
Choice B reason: Weighing every morning allows for monitoring of fluid retention, which is a key aspect of managing heart failure.
Choice C reason: Range of motion exercises are good for overall health but are not specific to heart failure management.
Choice D reason: Limiting fluid intake is important, but it is more critical to monitor weight daily to detect fluid retention early.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A thick, dry, and dark area on bilateral heels may indicate the beginning stages of a pressure ulcer, but it is not the earliest sign. The earliest indication is usually a non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence.
Choice B reason: Broken skin without evidence of undermining could be a sign of a pressure ulcer, but it is not the earliest indication. The earliest sign is persistent redness over an area of pressure.
Choice C reason: A defined area of persistent redness over bone, especially if it does not blanch when pressed, is the earliest indication of a pressure ulcer. This stage is known as a Stage 1 pressure injury.
Choice D reason: A superficial sacral ulcer with defined margins indicates that a pressure ulcer has already developed and is not the earliest sign of its development.
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