A nurse is assisting with teaching a newly licensed nurse about heart sounds. Which of the following sounds is heard when the aortic and pulmonic valves close?

Choice A reason : Advising a client with PVD not to go barefoot is correct. Going barefoot can increase the risk of injury to the feet, which can be particularly dangerous in individuals with PVD due to poor circulation. Any injuries to the feet may heal poorly and can lead to complications such as ulcers or infections.

Choice B reason : Using a thermometer to check the temperature of bath water is a recommended practice for clients with PVD. Due to potential nerve damage and reduced sensation in the extremities, clients may not accurately gauge water temperature, leading to burns. Therefore, using a thermometer helps prevent thermal injury.

Choice C reason : Wearing stockings with elastic tops is not recommended for clients with PVD. Elastic tops can constrict blood flow in the legs, exacerbating circulation problems. Instead, clients should wear non-constricting, well-fitting socks or stockings that promote blood flow.

Choice D reason : Avoiding crossing legs at the knees is good advice for clients with PVD. Crossing the legs can restrict blood flow to the lower extremities, which is already compromised in PVD. Keeping the legs uncrossed and elevating them when possible can help improve circulation.

Choice A reason : A fixed volume deficit, or hypovolemia, is not a direct finding associated with bradycardia. Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute in adults⁸. Hypovolemia can cause various compensatory mechanisms to activate, including an increase in heart rate to maintain cardiac output, which is the opposite of bradycardia. Therefore, a fixed volume deficit is not a typical finding in bradycardia unless it is part of a broader clinical picture⁹.

Choice B reason : Anxiety is a condition that can sometimes lead to an increased heart rate, known as tachycardia, rather than a decreased heart rate as seen in bradycardia. While anxiety can coexist with bradycardia, especially if the patient is anxious about their health, it is not a direct symptom or finding of bradycardia itself⁹.

Choice C reason : Lightheadedness is a common symptom of bradycardia. When the heart rate is too slow, it may lead to inadequate cerebral perfusion, which can cause a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness. This symptom can be particularly evident when the patient changes positions, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate the effects of reduced cardiac output on cerebral blood flow⁸⁹.

Choice D reason : An elevated temperature is not typically associated with bradycardia. Fever can actually lead to an increased heart rate as the body attempts to manage the higher metabolic demands associated with a raised temperature. Bradycardia in the presence of fever might indicate a more complex clinical scenario, such as myocarditis or central nervous system infections, but it is not a direct finding of bradycardia⁹.