A nurse is collecting data on a patient who has chronic kidney disease.
Which finding is a sign of hyperkalemia?

Choice A rationale:

Wheezing Wheezing is typically associated with respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rather than being a symptom of hyperkalemia.

Choice B rationale:

Cerebral edema Cerebral edema, or swelling in the brain, is not typically a symptom of hyperkalemia. It’s more commonly associated with traumatic brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.

Choice C rationale:

Decreased deep tendon reflexes Decreased deep tendon reflexes can be a symptom of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the potassium levels in your blood get too high. Potassium helps nerves send signals between your brain and the rest of your body. High levels of potassium can affect nerve function, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness or decreased reflexes. Choice D rationale:

Hypoactive bowel sounds Hypoactive bowel sounds, or decreased or absent bowel sounds, are typically associated with conditions affecting the gastrointestinal system, such as ileus or bowel obstruction. They are not typically a symptom of hyperkalemia.

Choice A rationale:

Mitral valve stenosis is a condition characterized by a narrowing of the mitral valve in the heart, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of mitral valve stenosis is a heart murmur. This is due to the turbulent flow of blood caused by the narrowed valve. The murmur is typically heard during a physical examination when a healthcare provider listens to the heart with a stethoscope.

Choice B rationale:

Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not typically associated with mitral valve stenosis. While mitral valve stenosis can cause irregular heart rhythms, it does not typically cause the heart rate to slow down.

Choice C rationale:

Clubbing of the fingers is a physical symptom that involves changes in the areas under and around the nails and is typically associated with conditions that cause chronic low blood oxygen levels. While mitral valve stenosis can lead to shortness of breath and fatigue, it does not typically cause clubbing of the fingers.

Choice D rationale:

A barrel chest, characterized by an increased chest diameter, is typically associated with conditions that cause chronic overinflation of the lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not a typical symptom of mitral valve stenosis.

In conclusion, while mitral valve stenosis can lead to a variety of symptoms, the most relevant to this question is a heart murmur. Other symptoms such as bradycardia, clubbing of the fingers, and a barrel chest are not typically associated with this condition.