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 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.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. calculate the number of small squares between one QRS complex and the next one and divide by 1500: This method provides an accurate heart rate calculation, but it is more time-consuming and typically used when precision is needed. It is not the quickest method for rapid bedside estimation of rate.
B. use the 3 second markers to count the number of QRS complexes in 6 seconds and multiply by 10: This is the fastest and most commonly used method for quickly estimating heart rate on an ECG strip. By counting the QRS complexes in a 6-second interval and multiplying by 10, the nurse gets an approximate beats-per-minute rate.
C. count the number of large squares in the R-R interval and divide by 300: This method also provides a quick estimate of heart rate but is best suited for regular rhythms. If the rhythm is irregular, this approach can yield inaccurate results.
D. print a 1-minute ECG strip and count the number of QRS complexes: While accurate, this method is inefficient for quick bedside estimation and is rarely used in practice for rapid assessment due to the time it takes to obtain and interpret a full-minute strip.
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