A patient with mitral stenosis exhibits new symptoms of a dysrhythmia. Based on the pathophysiology of this disease process, the nurse would expect the patient to exhibit what heart rhythm?

A patient who has undergone a valve replacement with a mechanical valve prosthesis is due to be discharged home. During discharge teaching, the nurse should discuss the importance of antibiotic prophylaxis prior to which of the following?

A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been admitted to the medical unit. During the nurse’s admission interview, the patient states that she takes over-the-counter “water pills” on a regular basis. How should the nurse best respond to the fact that the patient has been taking diuretics?

The critical care nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving cyclosporine postoperative heart transplant. The patient asks the nurse to remind him what this medication is for. How should the nurse best respond?

A patient with a history rheumatic heart disease knows that she is at risk for bacterial endocarditis when undergoing invasive procedures. Prior to a scheduled cystoscopy, the nurse should ensure that the patient knows the importance of taking which of the following drugs?

A patient with pericarditis has just been admitted to the CCU. The nurse planning the patient’s care should prioritize what nursing diagnosis?

A patient newly admitted to the telemetry unit is experiencing progressive fatigue, hemoptysis, and dyspnea. Diagnostic testing has revealed that these signs and symptoms are attributable to pulmonary venous hypertension. What valvular disorder should the nurse anticipate being diagnosed in this patient?

The nurse is caring for a patient with mitral stenosis who is scheduled for a balloon valvuloplasty. The patient tells the nurse that he is unsure why the surgeon did not opt to replace his damaged valve rather than repairing it. What is an advantage of valvuloplasty that the nurse should cite?

The nurse is reviewing the echocardiography results of a patient who has just been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). What changes in heart structure characterize DCM?

A patient has been admitted to the medical unit with signs and symptoms suggestive of endocarditis. The physician’s choice of antibiotics would be primarily based on what diagnostic test?

A community health nurse is presenting an educational event and is addressing several health problems, including rheumatic heart disease. What should the nurse describe as the most effective way to prevent rheumatic heart disease?

A patient with mitral valve prolapse is admitted for a scheduled bronchoscopy to investigate recent hemoptysis. The physician has ordered gentamicin to be taken before the procedure. What is the rationale for this?

The nurse is admitting a patient with complaints of dyspnea on exertion and fatigue. The patient’s ECG shows dysrhythmias that are sometimes associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. What diagnostic tool would be most helpful in diagnosing cardiomyopathy?

The nurse is preparing a patient for cardiac surgery. During the procedure, the patient’s heart will be removed and a donor heart implanted at the vena cava and pulmonary veins. What procedure will this patient undergo?

A patient is undergoing diagnostic testing for mitral stenosis. What statement by the patient during the nurse’s interview is most suggestive of this valvular disorder?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled to undergo mechanical valve replacement. Patient education should include which of the following?

The staff educator is presenting a workshop on valvular disorders. When discussing the pathophysiology of aortic regurgitation the educator points out the need to emphasize that aortic regurgitation causes what?

The nurse is creating a plan of care for a patient with a cardiomyopathy. What priority goal should underlie most of the assessments and interventions that are selected for this patient?

An older adult patient has been diagnosed with aortic regurgitation. What change in blood flow should the nurse expect to see on this patient’s echocardiogram?

A patient who has undergone valve replacement surgery is being prepared for discharge home. Because the patient will be discharged with a prescription for warfarin (Coumadin), the nurse should educate the patient about which of the following?

A nurse is planning discharge health education for a patient who will soon undergo placement of a mechanical valve prosthesis. What aspect of health education should the nurse prioritize in anticipation of discharge?

A patient with mitral valve stenosis is receiving health education at an outpatient clinic. To minimize the patient’s symptoms, the nurse should teach the patient to do which of the following?

A patient is admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. When reviewing the patient’s most recent laboratory results, the nurse should prioritize assessment of which of the following?

A patient has been admitted with an aortic valve stenosis and has been scheduled for a balloon valvuloplasty in the cardiac catheterization lab later today. During the admission assessment, the patient tells the nurse he has thoracolumbar scoliosis and is concerned about lying down for any extended period of time. What is a priority action for the nurse?

A patient is a candidate for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, but is concerned about how this procedure will affect her busy work schedule. What guidance should the nurse provide to the patient?

A patient has been diagnosed with a valvular disorder. The patient tells the nurse that he has read about numerous treatment options, including valvuloplasty. What should the nurse teach the patient about valvuloplasty?

The nurse is caring for a patient with right ventricular hypertrophy and consequently decreased right ventricular function. What valvular disorder may have contributed to this patient’s diagnosis?

The cardiac nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Echocardiography is likely to reveal what pathophysiological finding?

A 17-year-old boy is being treated in the ICU after going into cardiac arrest during a football practice. Diagnostic testing reveals cardiomyopathy as the cause of the arrest. What type of cardiomyopathy is particularly common among young people who appear otherwise healthy?

The nurse is teaching a patient diagnosed with aortic stenosis appropriate strategies for attempting to relieve the symptom of angina without drugs. What should the nurse teach the patient?

A patient has been living with dilated cardiomyopathy for several years but has experienced worsening symptoms despite aggressive medical management. The nurse should anticipate what potential treatment?

A patient has undergone a successful heart transplant and has been discharged home with a medication regimen that includes cyclosporine and tacrolimus. In light of this patient’s medication regimen, what nursing diagnosis should be prioritized?

The nurse is caring for a patient with acute pericarditis. What nursing management should be instituted to minimize complications?

A patient who has recently recovered from a systemic viral infection is undergoing diagnostic testing for myocarditis. Which of the nurse’s assessment findings is most consistent with myocarditis?

The nurse on the hospital’s infection control committee is looking into two cases of hospital-acquired infective endocarditis among a specific classification of patients. What classification of patients would be at greatest risk for hospital-acquired endocarditis?

The nurse is caring for a recent immigrant who has been diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation. The nurse should know that in developing countries the most common cause of mitral valve regurgitation is what?

A cardiac surgery patient’s new onset of signs and symptoms is suggestive of cardiac tamponade. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, what is the nurse’s most appropriate action?

The nurse is auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with pericarditis. What finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?