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The nurse instructs a client recovering from mechanical valve replacement surgery. Which client statement indicates that teaching has been effective?

"I will not drive until informed by my health care provider." The client receiving from mechanical valve replacement surgery needs to avoid driving a car until informed it is safe to do so. The client will need to avoid contact sports such as soccer until cleared by the health care provider. The client is at risk for developing infective endocarditis and should be instructed on the symptoms to include fever, chills, petechiae, malaise, and weight loss. Anticoagulant medication is needed for life when a mechanical valve is used.

A client needs to have a cardiac valve replacement. The nurse offers client education about the procedures involved—including the benefits and risks. Which client statement indicates the need for more education?

"I'm anxious because I'll need to have cardiopulmonary bypass." Cardiopulmonary bypass is not normally required for valve replacement, though it is kept available as an option should the need arise. Minimally invasive techniques generally involve less pain, trauma, and blood loss than alternative techniques.

A nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. The health care provider indicates the client has probably had this condition for years. What factor is important for the nurse to consider when teaching the client about valvular disease?

"The client with mitral valve prolapse probably had no health symptoms." Most people with mitral valve prolapse (which occurs more often in women) never have symptoms. Frequently, the first and only sign is identified during a routine physical assessment, when the examiner hears an extra heart sound on auscultation. Mitral value prolapse is treated with beta blockers or valve repair so premium insurance is not necessary. The client's religion is not a factor in teaching. The use of antiembolism stockings is not a treatment for mitral vale prolapse.

The nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client with a mechanical valve replacement. The client's international normalized ratio is 2.7. What action will the nurse take?

Administer the medication as ordered. Patients with mechanical valve replacements who take warfarin usually have individualized target international normalized ratios (INRs) between 2.0 and 3.5. The nurse would give the medication as ordered. There is no need to administer the antidote vitamin K. The medication should not be held because the INR is normal. The client should not have bleeding with the normal INR.

A client is diagnosed with rheumatic endocarditis. What bacterium is the nurse aware causes this inflammatory response?

Group A, beta-hemolytic streptococcus Acute rheumatic fever, which occurs most often in school-age children, may develop after an episode of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis (Chart 28-2). Clients with rheumatic fever may develop rheumatic heart disease as evidenced by a new heart murmur, cardiomegaly, pericarditis, and heart failure.

The nurse is teaching a client scheduled for an autograft aortic valve replacement. What statements are true about autograft replacement process? Select all that apply.

The grafts are obtained by excising the client's own pulmonic valves and a portion of the pulmonary artery. The autograft is an alternative for children and women of child-bearing age. Aortic valve autografts have remained viable for more than 20 years. Autografts are obtained by excising the patient's own pulmonic valve and a portion of the pulmonary artery for use as the aortic valve. The autograft is an alternative for children and women of child-bearing age. Aortic valve autografts have remained viable for more than 20 years. Anticoagulation is unnecessary because the valve is the patient's own tissue and is not thrombogenic. Mitral valves are not replaced as autografts because of durability.

Which symptom occurs in the client diagnosed with mitral regurgitation when pulmonary congestion occurs?

shortness of breath If pulmonary congestion occurs, the client with mitral regurgitation develops shortness of breath. A loud, blowing murmur often is heard throughout ventricular systole at the apex of the heart. Hypertension may develop when reduced cardiac output triggers the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cycle. Tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism when stroke volume decreases.

If a client were to develop rheumatic carditis, which cardiac structure would most likely be affected?

mitral valve In rheumatic carditis, cardiac structures that usually are affected include the heart valves (particularly the mitral valve), endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium.

A client comes to the clinic reporting fever, chills, and sore throat and is diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis. A nurse knows that early diagnosis and effective treatment is essential to avoid which preventable disease?

rheumatic fever Rheumatic fever is a preventable disease. Diagnosing and effectively treating streptococcal pharyngitis can prevent rheumatic fever and thereby rheumatic heart disease.

The nurse is teaching a school community parent group about heart wellness. What risk factor is a common leading cause for mitral stenosis?

rheumatic fever The most significant risk factor for mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever, which gradually causes the mitral valve leaflets to thicken and can result in leaflet fusion. Risk factors for aortic regurgitation are infective endocarditis, Marfan syndrome, and a dissecting aortic aneurysm.

The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with rheumatic endocarditis but no valvular dysfunction. On which nursing diagnosis should the nurse focus her teaching?

risk for infection Clients with endocarditis have a Risk for infection. The nurse should stress to the client that he'll need to continue antibiotics for a minimum of 5 years and that he'll need to take prophylactic antibiotics before invasive procedures for life. There is no indication that the client has Chronic pain or Impaired memory. Because the client doesn't have valvular damage, Impaired gas exchange doesn't apply.

A nurse is caring for a client with acute mitral regurgitation related to an acute myocardial infarction. The nurse knows to monitor the client carefully for symptoms of which initial complication or result?

severe heart failure Acute mitral regurgitation usually manifests as severe congestive heart failure, resulting from blood flowing backward from the left ventricle to the left atria and eventually into the lungs. Kidney failure could become a problem later if cardiac output is too low, but not initially. CVA and an infarcted bowel would not be caused by mitral regurgitation.

During a teaching session, a client who is having a valvuloplasty tomorrow asks the nurse about the difference between a mechanical valve replacement and a tissue valve. What answer from the nurse is correct?

"A mechanical valve is thought to be more durable and so requires replacement less often." Mechanical valves are thought to be more durable than tissue valves and so require replacement less often. Tissue valves are less likely to generate blood clots and so long-term anticoagulation therapy is not required. Homografts (human valves) are not always available and are very expensive.

The nurse obtains a health history from a client with a prosthetic heart valve and new symptoms of infective endocarditis. Which question by the nurse is most appropriate to ask?

"Have you been to the dentist recently?" Invasive procedures, particularly those involving mucosal surfaces (e.g., those involving manipulation of gingival tissue or periapical regions of teeth), can cause a bacteremia, which rarely lasts more than 15 minutes. However, if a client has any anatomic cardiac defects or implanted cardiac devices (e.g., prosthetic heart valve, pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator), bacteremia can cause bacterial endocarditis.

A client with a forceful, pounding heartbeat is diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Which client statement indicates to the nurse a need for additional teaching?

"I can still drink coffee and tea." The client requires more teaching if he states that he may drink coffee and tea. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can exacerbate palpitations, and should be avoided by a client with symptomatic mitral valve prolapse. High fluid intake helps maintain adequate preload and cardiac output. Aerobic exercise helps increase cardiac output and decrease heart rate. Protein-rich foods aren't restricted but high-calorie foods are.

A client with a confirmed DVT is being discharged from the ED. Which client statement indicates that the client has received proper nursing instruction and understands how to manage this condition?

"I need to do my leg exercises five times or more every hour." Exercise prevents venous stasis by promoting venous circulation, relieves swelling, and reduces pain. Promoting venous blood flow prevents the formation of thrombi and subsequent potential for emboli in the unaffected extremity. Bending the knees is contraindicated for a client with DVT because it interferes with venous circulation and may increase the size of the existing clot or contribute to the formation of additional thrombi. Clients with DVT should apply warm, moist compresses to the area of discomfort because warmth dilates blood vessels, improves circulation, and relieves swelling, all of which relieve discomfort; moist heat is more comforting than dry heat. Adequate fluid volume dilutes blood cells in plasma and reduces the risk for platelet aggregation.

The nurse is educating a client about the care related to a new diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse. What statement made by the client demonstrates understanding of the teaching?

"I will avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking." In mitral valve prolapse, if dysrhythmias are documented and cause symptoms, the client is advised to eliminate caffeine and alcohol from the diet and to stop the use of tobacco products. Antibiotics to prevent endocarditis are no longer prescribed. Tattoos and piercings are not recommended for clients with mitral valve prolapse to prevent unnecessary exposure to bacteria.

A nurse is teaching a client who is awaiting a heart transplant. Which statement indicates the client understands what is required to help minimize rejection?"

"I will need to take three different types of medications for the rest of my life to help prevent rejection." Clients who have had heart transplants are constantly balancing the risk of rejection with the risk of infection. They must adhere to a complex regimen of diet, medications, activity, follow-up laboratory studies, biopsies of the transplanted heart (to diagnose rejection), and clinic visits. Three classes of medications are prescribed for a transplant client to help minimize rejection: corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, cyclosporin), and antiproliferative agents (mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, or sirolimus).

A nurse is teaching a client about valve replacement surgery. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the benefit of an autograft replacement valve?

"The valve is made from my own heart valve, and I will not need to take any blood-thinning drugs when I am discharged." Autografts (i.e., autologous valves) are obtained by excising the client's own pulmonic valve and a portion of the pulmonary artery for use as the aortic valve. Anticoagulation is unnecessary because the valve is the client's own tissue and is not thrombogenic. The autograft is an alternative for children (it may grow as the child grows), women of childbearing age, young adults, clients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, and people who cannot tolerate anticoagulation. Aortic valve autografts have remained viable for more than 20 years.

A client who had a prosthetic valve replacement was taking warfarin to reduce the risk of postoperative thrombosis. The client visited the nurse at a clinic once a week. What INR level would alert the nurse to notify the health care provider?

3.8 Warfarin patients usually have individualized target international normalized ratios (INRs) between 2 to 3.5 to maintain adequate anticoagulation. Levels below 2 to 2.5 can result in insufficient anticoagulation and levels greater than 3.5 can result in dangerous and prolonged anticoagulation.

A total artificial heart (TAH) is an electrically powered pump that circulates blood into the pulmonary artery and the aorta, thus replacing the functions of both the right and left ventricles. What makes it different from an LVAD?

An LVAD only supports a failing left ventricle. A TAH is considered an extension of LVADs, which only support a failing left ventricle. TAHs are targeted for clients who are unlikely to live more than a month without further interventions.

When a patient is taking an immunosuppressant following heart transplantation, the nurse would determine which of the following as the MOST important intervention?

Assess vital signs every 4 hours. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that greatly decreases the body's rejection of foreign proteins, such as transplanted organs. Unfortunately, cyclosporine also decreases the body's ability to resist infections, and a satisfactory balance must be achieved between suppressing rejection and avoiding infection. Assessing for signs and symptoms of infection is most important and is required prior to implementing other appropriate interventions.

A client with aortic stenosis is reluctant to have valve replacement surgery. A nurse is present when the health care provider talks to the client about a treatment that is less invasive than surgery which will likely relieve some of the client's symptoms. What treatment option has been discussed?

Balloon percutaneous valvuloplasty Definitive treatment for aortic stenosis is surgical replacement of the aortic valve. Clients who are symptomatic, but not good surgical candidates may benefit from a one or two balloon percutaneous valvuloplasty. Antibiotic therapy will not open the valve. The client does not want to have a valve replacement of any kind.

A client is diagnosed with mitral regurgitation. What does the nurse consider with the mechanics of cardiac hemodynamics?

Blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. When the mitral valve leaflets thicken, fibrose, and contract, they cannot close completely. With each heartbeat, blood is forced backward into the left atrium during systole. Regurgitation of blood into the left atrium causes the left atrial pressure to rise.

A client with aortic regurgitation is admitted to the hospital. Which assessment findings would indicate left ventricular failure?

Dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) Signs and symptoms of progressive left ventricular failure include breathing difficulties, such as orthopnea and PND. Distended jugular veins, pedal edema, and nausea are signs and symptoms of right-sided heart failure.

A client is admitted to the hospital with aortic stenosis. What assessment findings would indicate the development of left ventricular failure?

Dyspnea, orthopnea, pulmonary edema Signs and symptoms of progressive left ventricular failure include breathing difficulties, such as orthopnea, PND, and pulmonary edema. Distended jugular veins, pedal edema, and nausea are signs and symptoms of right sided heart failure.

The diagnosis of aortic regurgitation (AR) is confirmed by which of the following?

Echocardiography Diagnosis is confirmed by echocardiography. Cardiac catheterization is not necessary in most patients with AR. Exercise stress testing will assess functional capacity and symptom response. A myocardial biopsy may be performed to analyze myocardial tissue cells in patients with cardiomyopathy.

A nurse is caring for a client with aortic stenosis whose compensatory mechanisms of the heart have begun to fail. The nurse will monitor the client carefully for which initial symptoms?

Exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, pulmonary edema When symptoms develop, clients with aortic stenosis usually first have exertional dyspnea, caused by increased pulmonary venous pressure from left heart failure. Orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, dizziness, and pulmonary edema may also occur. Nausea and vomiting may be signs of gastrointestinal congestion, but would be related to right heart failure, which does not occur initially with aortic stenosis.

When teaching a client with rheumatic carditis and a history of recurrent rheumatic fever, which statement by the client indicates that teaching has been successful?

I may have to take antibiotics for up to 10 years Antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent rheumatic fever with rheumatic carditis may require 10 or more years of antibiotic coverage (e.g., penicillin G intramuscularly every 4 weeks, penicillin V orally twice a day [BID], sulfadiazine orally daily, or erythromycin orally BID). Clients with a history of rheumatic fever are susceptible to infective endocarditis and should be asked to take prophylactic antibiotics before any invasive procedure, including dental work. Steroids are prescribed to suppress the inflammatory response and aspirin to control the formation of blood clots around heart valves. Activities that require minimal activity are recommended to reduce the work of the myocardium and counteract the boredom of weeks of bed rest.

A client who suffered blunt chest trauma in a motor vehicle accident reports chest pain during deep inspiration. On auscultation, the nurse detects a pericardial friction rub — a classic sign of acute pericarditis. To relieve this chest pain, which position should the nurse encourage the client to assume?

Leaning forward while sitting The nurse should encourage the client to lean forward, because this position causes the heart to pull away from the diaphragmatic pleurae of the lungs, thus helping to relieve chest pain caused by pericarditis. The semi-Fowler's, supine, and prone positions don't cause this pulling-away action, and therefore, do not relieve chest pain associated with pericarditis.

Which nursing intervention should a nurse perform to reduce cardiac workload in a client diagnosed with myocarditis?

Maintain the client on bed rest The nurse should maintain the client on bed rest to reduce cardiac workload and promote healing. The nurse should administer supplemental oxygen to relieve tachycardia that may develop from hypoxemia. If the client has a fever, the nurse should administer a prescribed antipyretic along with independent nursing measures like minimizing layers of bed linen, promoting air circulation and evaporation of perspiration, and offering oral fluids. The nurse should elevate the client's head to promote maximal breathing potential.

A client comes into the emergency department reporting about chest pain that gets worse when taking deep breaths and lying down. After ruling out a myocardial infarction, a nurse would assess for which diagnosis?

Pericarditis The primary symptom of pericarditis is pain, which is assessed by evaluating the client in various positions. The nurse tries to identify whether pain is influenced by respiratory movements while holding an inhaled breath or holding an exhaled breath; by flexing, extending, or rotating the spine, including the neck; by moving the shoulders and arms; by coughing; or by swallowing. Recognizing events that precipitate or intensify pain may help establish a diagnosis and differentiate pain of pericarditis from pain of myocardial infarction.

Which valve lies between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery?

Pulmonic valve The pulmonic valve is a semilunar valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The tricuspid valve is an atrioventricular valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle. The mitral valve is an atrioventricular valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle. Chordae tendineae anchor the valve leaflets to the papillary muscle and ventricular wall.

A client with infective endocarditis is admitted to the hospital. While obtaining a history, what should the nurse ask the client about? Select all that apply.

Renal dialysis Intravenous (IV) drug use Nasal piercing Prosthetic cardiac valves Recent urinary tract infection Endocarditis infections are common among IV injection drug users; clients with debilitating disease or indwelling catheters; clients receiving hemodialysis or prolonged IV fluid or antibiotic therapy; clients with oral, nasal, or nipple body piercings; and, clients with prosthetic cardiac valves.

It is important for a nurse to be aware of the normal hemodynamics of blood flow to recognize and understand pathology when it occurs. The nurse should know that incomplete closure of the tricuspid valve results in a backward flow of blood from the:

Right ventricle to the right atrium. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Therefore, incomplete closure results in the backward flow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium.

A nurse is caring for a client with pericarditis and auscultates a pericardial friction rub. What action does the nurse ask the client to do to distinguish a pericardial friction rub from a pleural friction rub?

The nurse asks the client to hold the breath during auscultation. A pericardial friction rub occurs when the pericardial surfaces lose their lubricating fluid as a result of inflammation. The audible rub on auscultation is synchronous with the heartbeat. To distinguish between a pleural rub and a pericardial rub, the client should hold the breath. The pericardial rub will continue. Length of auscultation and standing would not assist in distinguishing one kind of rub from the other.

A nurse plans to have an education session with a client with cardiomyopathy and the client's spouse about ways to increase activity tolerance. What instructions would the nurse provide?

alternate active periods with rest periods The client should plan activities to occur in cycles, alternating rest with active periods. The client with cardiomyopathy must avoid strenuous activity and isometric exercises. It is impossible to avoid all physical and emotional stress.

Which describes a valve used in replacement surgery that is made from the client's own heart valve?

autograft An example of an autograft is when the surgeon excises the pulmonic valve and uses it for an aortic valve replacement. An allograft, also called a homograft, refers to replacement using human tissue. Xenograft refers to animal tissue used in tissue replacement.

The nurse is performing a medication review of a client diagnosed with myocarditis. What medication may have precipitated the client to have myocarditis?

azathioprine Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive medication that can cause myocarditis. Furosemide is a diuretic and acetaminophen is an anti-inflammatory; they are not known to cause myocarditis. Ciprofloxacin is a antibiotic not known to precipitate myocarditis.

A nurse is caring for a client who had an aortic balloon valvuloplasty. The nurse should inspect the surgical insertion site closely for which complication(s)?

bleeding and infection Possible complications of an aortic balloon valvuloplasty include aortic regurgitation, emboli, ventricular perforation, rupture of the aortic valve annulus, ventricular dysrhythmia, mitral valve damage, infection, and bleeding from the catheter insertion sites.

A nurse is teaching a client about an upcoming surgery to separate fused cardiac leaflets. Which term is used to describe this surgery?

commissurotomy Commissurotomy is the splitting or separating of fused cardiac valve leaflets. Annuloplasty is a repair of the outer ring of a cardiac valve. Chordoplasty is repair of the stringy, tendinous fibers that connect the free edges of the atrioventricular valve leaflets to the papillary muscle. Valvuloplasty is a repair of a stenosed or regurgitant cardiac valve by commissurotomy, annuloplasty, leaflet repair, or chordoplasty.

A patient has had a successful heart transplant for end-stage heart disease. What immunosuppressant will be necessary for this patient to take to prevent rejection?

cyclosporine Because of advances in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapies, heart transplantation is now a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart disease. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are immunosuppressants that decrease the body's rejection of foreign proteins, such as transplanted organs.

A client is diagnosed with infective endocarditis. What laboratory values will the nurse assess? Select all that apply.

elevated C-reactive protein elevated WBC elevated ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate Abnormal findings include anemia, elevated WBC counts, elevated ESR, and elevated c-reactive protein.

A client reporting heart palpitations is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation caused by mitral valve prolapse. To relieve the symptoms, the nurse should teach the client which dietary intervention?

eliminate caffeine and etoh To minimize symptoms of mitral valve prolapse, the nurse should instruct the client to avoid caffeine and alcohol. The nurse encourages the client to read product labels, particularly on over-the-counter products such as cough medicine, because these products may contain alcohol, caffeine, ephedrine, and adrenaline, which may produce arrhythmias and other symptoms. The nurse also explores possible diet, activity, sleep, and other lifestyle factors that may correlate with symptoms.

The nurse is auscultating the heart of a client diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Which is often the first and only manifestation of mitral valve prolapse?

extra heart sound Often the first and only sign of mitral valve prolapse is identified when a physical examination of the heart reveals an extra heart sound, referred to as a mitral click. Fatigue, dizziness, and syncope are other symptoms of mitral valve prolapse.

The nurse suspects a client has developed pericarditis after a week of cold-like symptoms. Which of the client's signs and symptoms indicate pericarditis?

fever, chest discomfort, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) The classic signs and symptoms of pericarditis include fever, positional chest discomfort, nonspecific ST-segment elevation, elevated ESR, and pericardial friction rub. Low urine output secondary to left ventricular dysfunction lethargy, anorexia, heart failure, and pitting edema result from acute renal failure.

A nurse is caring for a client with end-stage cardiomyopathy and the client's spouse asks the nurse to clarify one of the last treatment options available that the health care provider mentioned. What is considered to be one of the last treatments for end-stage cardiomyopathy?

heart transplantation When heart failure progresses and medical treatment is no longer effective, surgical intervention, including heart transplantation, is considered. The other three choices have to do with failing valves and valve repairs.

A nurse reviewing a client's echocardiogram report reads the following statements: "The heart muscle is asymmetrically thickened and the overall size and mass are increased, especially along the septum. The ventricular walls are thickened, reducing the size of the ventricular cavities. Several areas of the myocardium show evidence of scarring." The nurse knows these manifestations are indicative of which type of cardiomyopathy?

hypertrophic In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the heart muscle asymmetrically increases in size and mass, especially along the septum. It often affects nonadjacent areas of the ventricle. The increased thickness of the heart muscle reduces the size of the ventricular cavities and causes the ventricles to take a longer time to relax after systole. The coronary arteriole walls are also thickened, decreasing the internal diameter of the arterioles. The narrow arterioles restrict the blood supply to the myocardium, causing numerous small areas of ischemia and necrosis. The necrotic areas of the myocardium ultimately fibrose and scar, further impeding ventricular contraction. Because of the structural changes involved, HCM has also been called idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) or asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH). Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is distinguished by significant dilation of the ventricles without simultaneous hypertrophy (increased muscle wall thickness) and systolic dysfunction. The ventricles have elevated systolic and diastolic volumes but a decreased ejection fraction. Restrictive (or constrictive) cardiomyopathy (RCM) is characterized by diastolic dysfunction caused by rigid ventricular walls that impair ventricular stretch and diastolic filling. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) occurs when the myocardium of the right ventricle is progressively infiltrated and replaced by fibrous scar and adipose tissue.

A nurse is teaching a client about mitral stenosis. What is the key teaching point regarding the disruption to the normal flow of blood through the heart due to mitral stenosis?

increased resistance of a narrowed orifice between the left atrium and the left ventricle Left atrial pressure increases because of the slowed blood flow into the LV through the narrowed orifice. The left atrium dilates and hypertrophies because of the increased blood volume. Pulmonary venous pressure rises, and the circulation becomes congested. As a result, the RV and right atrium become enlarged. Eventually, the ventricle fails.

A nurse is caring for a client with end-stage cardiomyopathy and the client's spouse asks the nurse to clarify one of the last treatment options available that the health care provider mentioned earlier. What option will the nurse most likely discuss?

left ventricular assisted device When heart failure progresses and medical treatment is no longer effective, surgical intervention, including heart transplantation, is considered. Because of the limited number of organ donors, many clients die waiting. In some cases, a left ventricular assist device is implanted to support the failing heart until a suitable donor becomes available. The other three choices have to do with failing valves and valve repairs.

The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with aortic stenosis. The client is prescribed digoxin. What is the rationale for the medication?

left ventricular dysfunction Digoxin may be used to treat left ventricular dysfunction. Diuretics may be used for dyspnea. Nitrates may be prescribed for the treatment of angina, but must be used with caution due to the risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope.

The instructor is talking with a nursing student who is caring for a client with pericarditis. The instructor asks the student to name the main characteristic of pericarditis. What should be the student's answer?

precordial pain Precordial pain is the main characteristic of pericarditis. Dyspnea, fever, and respiratory symptoms are not the main characteristics of pericarditis.

The health care provider has scheduled a client with mitral stenosis for mitral valve replacement. What condition will the nurse expect to see as a complication of mitral stenosis?

pulmonary hypertension Mitral stenosis, or severe narrowing of the mitral valve, impedes blood flow through the stenotic valve, increasing pressure in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. These problems may lead to low cardiac output, pulmonary hypertension, edema, and right-sided (not left-sided) heart failure. Other potential complications of mitral stenosis include mural thrombi, pulmonary hemorrhage, and embolism to vital organs. Myocardial ischemia may occur in a client with coronary artery disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy is a potential complication of aortic stenosis.

A nurse is assigned to the medical intensive care unit. The nurse auscultates a water-hammer pulse. What will the sound resemble?

quick, sharp strokes that suddenly collapse With the water-hammer (Corrigan's) pulse, the pulse strikes the palpating finger with a quick, sharp stroke and then suddenly collapses. Water-hammer pulse is not low or high pitched. A clicking sound is heard with a valve replacement.

The nurse completes an assessment of a client admitted with pericarditis. What client symptom will the nurse correlate with the diagnosis of pericarditis?

reports of constant chest pain The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. The pain or discomfort usually remains fairly constant, but it may worsen with deep inspiration and when lying down or turning. Other signs may include a mild fever, increased WBC count, anemia, and an elevated ESR or C-reactive protein level. Dyspnea and other signs and symptoms of heart failure may occur.

A client with a recent history of atrial fibrillation has been prescribed warfarin. What action will the nurse take to confirm safe dosing?

review client's INR Warfarin doses are adjusted on the basis of the client's INR. Blood levels are not taken for the drug, and the client's heart rate is not the indicator of efficacy or safety.

A client with a myocardial infarction develops acute mitral valve regurgitation. The nurse knows to assess for which manifestation that would indicate that the client is developing pulmonary congestion?

shortness of breath Chronic mitral regurgitation is often asymptomatic, but acute mitral regurgitation (e.g., resulting from a myocardial infarction) usually manifests as severe congestive heart failure. Dyspnea, fatigue, and weakness are the most common symptoms. Palpitations, shortness of breath upon exertion, and cough from pulmonary congestion also occur. A loud, blowing murmur often is heard throughout ventricular systole at the apex of the heart. Hypertension may develop when reduced cardiac output triggers the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cycle. Tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism when stroke volume decreases.

The nurse understands that which of the following medications will be administered to the client for 6 to 12 weeks following prosthetic porcine valve surgery?

warfarin To reduce the risk of thrombosis in patients with porcine or bovine tissue valves, warfarin is required for 6 to 12 weeks, followed by aspirin therapy. Furosemide would not be given for 6 to 12 weeks following this type of surgery. Digoxin may be used for the treatment of arrhythmias, but not just for 6 to 12 weeks.

A nurse is caring for a young female adult client diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who has just had a mitral valve replacement. The client is being discharged with prescribed warfarin. The client mentions to the nurse that she relies on the rhythm method for birth control. What education will be a priority for the nurse to provide to this client?

the high risk for complications if she becomes pregnant while taking warfarin Women of childbearing age should not take warfarin (pregnancy X category) if they plan to become pregnant. There is danger to the placenta and risk for the mother to bleed. The fetus may also be affected. This client should practice a more reliable method of birth control. The rhythm method for birth control is not always accurate. The symptoms of worsening tachycardia are important, but do not correspond to the warfarin therapy. Limiting green leafy vegetables is important with warfarin therapy, but risk for fetal harm is more important.

A client's chart indicates Virchow's triad. This client is at risk for which complication?

thrombophlebitis Virchow's triad refers to venous stasis (slowed circulation), altered blood coagulation, and trauma to the vein, and predisposes clients to thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. The diagnosis of Virchow's triad indicates the client already presents with venous stasis. The diagnosis of Virchow's triad indicates the client already presents with altered blood coagulation. Postphlebitic syndrome is a vascular complication that may occur for up to 5 years after the initial episode with thrombophlebitis. This client does not yet have thrombophlebitis, so is not at risk for postphlebitic syndrome.