A nurse is assessing a client who has mitral valve stenosis Which of the following findings should the nurse except?
Clubbing of the fingers
A heart murmur
Barrel chest
Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is B
A) Clubbing of the fingers
Clubbing of the fingers is typically associated with chronic hypoxia, often due to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congenital heart defects, or chronic respiratory disorders. While mitral valve stenosis can lead to pulmonary congestion and sometimes hypoxia, clubbing is not a hallmark finding of mitral valve stenosis.
B) A heart murmur
Mitral valve stenosis is commonly characterized by a heart murmur. The stenosis (narrowing) of the mitral valve obstructs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, leading to turbulent blood flow. This creates a characteristic diastolic murmur (a low-pitched, rumbling murmur heard best at the apex of the heart with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position).
C) Barrel chest
A barrel chest is more commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other conditions that cause long-term hyperinflation of the lungs. It is not a typical finding in mitral valve stenosis. The shape of the chest may change over time in patients with severe left-sided heart failure, but this is not a primary or direct consequence of mitral valve stenosis.
D) Bradycardia
Bradycardia (a slow heart rate) is not a characteristic finding of mitral valve stenosis. In fact, mitral valve stenosis can lead to increased heart rates due to reduced cardiac output and compensatory mechanisms. As the left atrium becomes increasingly distended from the obstruction, atrial fibrillation (a rapid, irregular heartbeat) is common in mitral valve stenosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Equal but sluggishly reactive pupils:
Pupillary changes, including sluggish or unequal responses, are significant signs of increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) and should be monitored closely. However, altered level of consciousness (LOC) is typically one of the earliest signs of increased ICP. The response of the pupils to light can become abnormal later, once pressure increases within the brain, particularly when brainstem function is impacted.
B) Widening pulse pressure:
A widening pulse pressure is part of Cushing’s triad, which is a late sign of increased ICP. Cushing’s triad consists of hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations (often seen as Cheyne-Stokes). These changes occur in the later stages of elevated ICP as a compensatory mechanism to preserve cerebral perfusion. While this is an important finding, altered LOC would precede the development of Cushing’s triad.
C) Altered level of consciousness:
Altered level of consciousness (LOC) is typically the first and most sensitive indicator of increased ICP. As pressure increases within the skull, it compresses brain tissue and affects the brainstem, which controls basic functions like consciousness. LOC can range from mild confusion and disorientation to full loss of consciousness or coma, depending on the severity of the ICP increase.
D) Tachycardia and hypotension:
Tachycardia and hypotension can be associated with shock or other conditions, but they are not characteristic of early increased ICP. In fact, as ICP rises, the body typically responds with bradycardia (slower heart rate) and hypertension (increased blood pressure), which are part of the compensatory mechanisms.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Hypoglycemic event often develops:
Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant, and while it can affect glucose metabolism, hypoglycemia is not a typical consequence of abruptly stopping the drug. This is not a primary concern when discontinuing phenytoin therapy. Hypoglycemia is more commonly associated with medications like insulin or sulfonylureas, not anticonvulsants like phenytoin.
B) Physical dependency on the drug develops over time:
Phenytoin does not cause physical dependence in the way that some other substances (e.g., alcohol, opioids) can. While the body can become used to a medication over time, and withdrawal symptoms can occur, the risk of physical dependence is not the main reason why phenytoin should not be stopped suddenly.
C) A heart block is likely to develop:
Phenytoin is known to have effects on cardiac conduction, and it can cause heart rhythm disturbances like bradycardia or a prolonged PR interval, especially with toxicity. However, the risk of a heart block developing due to abrupt discontinuation of phenytoin is not the primary concern.
D) Status epilepticus may develop:
The most serious risk of suddenly stopping phenytoin, or any anticonvulsant, is the potential for status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency where seizures occur continuously without recovery in between, which can be life-threatening. Abruptly discontinuing phenytoin can lead to a rebound increase in seizure activity, which can result in status epilepticus.
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