Valvular Heart Disease

The nurse is caring for a patient after valve replacement surgery. The patient reports chest pain 6/10 and mild dyspnea. The nurse notes oxygen saturation 92% on 2L via NC, HR 68 bpm, BP 86/42 mmHg, and respirations 16 per minute. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

Give IV normal saline bolus

The nurse is caring for a patient with mitral valve stenosis. Which snack is most appropriate?

Grilled chicken pita wraps

The nurse is caring for a patient with mitral stenosis and who experiences nausea, muscle weakness, and chest heaviness. The nurse notes an apical pulse of 58 bpm. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

Hold the PO digoxin

A nurse is assessing an older adult patient with mitral valve stenosis and a history of unstable angina. Which therapy would the nurse anticipate as a conservative therapy for this patient?

Percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty

A patient with mitral valve stenosis has not responded well to drug therapy and the health care team is considering valve replacement. Which statement to the patient best describes the differences between a biologic and mechanical valve?

"Biologic valves cause less patient bleeding than mechanical valves do."

A patient with valvular heart disease is being discharged. After discharge teaching, the patient states, "I will need a week of bed rest first." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

"You should balance your activity with rest periods."

Which signs and symptoms are associated with aortic valve regurgitation?

-Angina -Orthopnea -Exertional dyspnea

Which subjective symptoms would the nurse recognize as being associated with chronic mitral valve regurgitation?

-Chest pain -Dyspnea -Generalized fatigue

The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected aortic valve stenosis. Which subjective findings would the nurse expect?

-Chest pain -Shortness of breath -Dizziness on standing

A patient with mitral stenosis reports syncope, palpitations, and chest pressure. Which provider orders would the nurse anticipate?

-IV Lasix -PO digoxin -IV Metoprolol

A patient presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope, fever, chills, and myalgias. Which health care provider order would the nurse implement first to prevent valvular heart disease?

Administer intravenous (IV) antibiotics

A 32-year-old female patient with valvular heart disease has been treated with metoprolol and digoxin for several years. After undergoing transcutaneous valvuloplasty, the patient continues to experience dyspnea and pulmonary edema. Which treatment would the nurse anticipate next?

Biologic valve replacement

The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old patient with a history of alcohol-related cirrhosis and who has been diagnosed with aortic stenosis. Previous drug therapy and valve repair were unsuccessful. Which procedure would the nurse anticipate?

Biologic valve replacement

The nurse is performing a follow-up assessment for a patient after open surgical valvuloplasty. Which assessment findings would be concerning?

Dry cough Orthopnea Peripheral edema Saturated surgical dressing

Which statement best describes the pathophysiological changes associated with valvular regurgitation?

Incomplete closure of the valve leaflets and backward flow of blood

The nurse is caring for a patient after mechanical valve replacement surgery. Which lab finding would be most concerning?

International normalized ratio (INR) 1.2

The nurse is caring for a patient who reports frequent angina, dyspnea on exertion, and peripheral edema. The nurse notes a systolic murmur on auscultation and crackles in the lungs. Which diagnostic test would the nurse anticipate?

Transesophageal echocardiogram

The nurse is caring for a patient with diagnosed aortic regurgitation. Which patient history finding would the nurse note as a possible cause?

Untreated strep pharyngitis