A nurse is collecting data on a patient who has mitral valve stenosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: A barrel chest is typically not associated with mitral valve stenosis. It is more commonly seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to hyperinflation of the lungs. Mitral valve stenosis affects the heart and not the lung structure.

Choice B reason: Clubbing of the fingers is a sign that can be associated with chronic hypoxia and certain types of congenital heart disease. While it can be seen in some heart conditions, it is not a specific finding for mitral valve stenosis.

Choice C reason: A heart murmur, specifically a diastolic murmur, is a classic finding in mitral valve stenosis. As the stenotic mitral valve obstructs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, a pressure gradient is created, which produces a murmur that can be heard upon auscultation.

Choice D reason: Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not a direct finding associated with mitral valve stenosis. Mitral valve stenosis may lead to arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation due to atrial enlargement, but bradycardia is not typically induced by this condition.

Choice A reason : Assisting the client into a standing position is part of the process for checking orthostatic hypotension, but it is not the first action to take. The initial measurement should be taken while the client is supine to establish a baseline blood pressure before any position changes.

Choice B reason : Determining the client's blood pressure 1 minute after each position change is important for diagnosing orthostatic hypotension, but it follows after the initial supine measurement. This step is to observe changes in blood pressure that may indicate orthostatic hypotension.

Choice C reason : Placing the client in a sitting position is another step in the process of checking for orthostatic hypotension. However, it is not the first action. The nurse should first measure the blood pressure in the supine position, then sitting, and finally standing.

Choice D reason : This is the correct first action. Checking the client's blood pressure in a supine position provides a baseline measurement. After this, the nurse can compare the blood pressure readings after the client sits and stands to identify any significant drops that would indicate orthostatic hypotension.