The nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of mitral valve stenosis. Which element of assessment data indicates that the disease is worsening?
Increase in systolic blood pressure 10 mmHg above client's norm
reports dyspnea after walking up 2 flights of stairs
Jugular vein distention and +3 peripheral edema
Complaints of epigastric pain after eating a large meal
The Correct Answer is C
A. Increase in systolic blood pressure 10 mmHg above client's norm: A mild increase in systolic blood pressure is not a specific indicator of mitral stenosis progression. Blood pressure fluctuations may occur due to various factors and are not typically used as a primary marker of worsening valve disease.
B. reports dyspnea after walking up 2 flights of stairs: Exertional dyspnea is a common early symptom of mitral stenosis due to reduced left atrial emptying and pulmonary congestion. However, this does not necessarily indicate worsening unless the symptom becomes more severe or occurs with minimal exertion.
C. Jugular vein distention and +3 peripheral edema: These are signs of right-sided heart failure, which may result from long-standing mitral stenosis leading to pulmonary hypertension and subsequent right ventricular hypertrophy and failure. This indicates disease progression and worsening cardiac function.
D. Complaints of epigastric pain after eating a large meal: Epigastric discomfort is not a typical symptom of mitral stenosis and is more likely related to gastrointestinal issues. It does not reflect the status or progression of the cardiac condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Run of premature ventricular beats: While adenosine can occasionally provoke brief ventricular ectopy, this is not its primary or most expected effect. Premature ventricular contractions may occur transiently but are not the hallmark response to this medication.
B. Short period of asystole: Adenosine briefly blocks AV node conduction and can interrupt re-entry pathways, often resulting in a short period of asystole lasting a few seconds. This is an expected effect and reflects the drug’s mechanism in terminating supraventricular tachycardia by interrupting the reentrant pathway.
C. Brief seizure episode: Adenosine does not typically cause seizures. It acts primarily on cardiac tissue and has no significant pro-convulsant effects. A seizure would be an atypical and concerning adverse reaction rather than an expected response.
D. Dramatic increase in blood pressure: Adenosine causes transient vasodilation and may lead to a brief drop in blood pressure or flushing. A dramatic increase in blood pressure would not be expected and could suggest an alternate diagnosis or drug reaction.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. the heart rate is greater than 100 bpm in sinus tachycardia: Normal Sinus Rhythm is characterized by a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). Sinus tachycardia is defined as a sinus rhythm with a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute. The rhythm remains regular, with each P wave followed by a QRS complex, but the rate is significantly faster than normal sinus rhythm.
B. more p waves are present than QRS complexes: In sinus tachycardia, the number of P waves and QRS complexes remains one-to-one, as each atrial impulse continues to be conducted to the ventricles. More P waves than QRS complexes typically suggest atrial flutter or other forms of AV dissociation.
C. the QRS complexes measure greater than 0.10: A widened QRS complex suggests a bundle branch block or ventricular rhythm, not sinus tachycardia. In sinus tachycardia, QRS complexes typically remain narrow, measuring less than 0.10 seconds unless an intraventricular conduction delay is present.
D. the rhythm is often irregular in sinus tachycardia: Sinus tachycardia is usually a regular rhythm with consistent R-R intervals. An irregular rhythm is more indicative of atrial fibrillation or sinus arrhythmia, not a defining characteristic of sinus tachycardia.
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