Valvular Disorders and Impact on Cardiac Output Flashcards
Which of the following describes aortic stenosis?
A) A narrowed mitral valve that impairs left atrial emptying
B) A narrowed aortic valve that obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle
C) A leaky mitral valve that allows blood to flow backward into the left atrium
D) A leaky tricuspid valve that causes blood to flow into the right atrium
B) A narrowed aortic valve that obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle
Rationale: Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular disorder and results in narrowing of the aortic valve, which restricts blood flow from the left ventricle (LV) into the aorta, leading to increased LV pressure and hypertrophy.
Which valvular disorder is commonly caused by rheumatic fever and results in blood backing up into the left atrium?
A) Aortic regurgitation
B) Mitral stenosis
C) Tricuspid regurgitation
D) Mitral regurgitation
B) Mitral stenosis
Rationale: Mitral stenosis is caused by rheumatic fever (GABHS infection) and results in a narrowed mitral valve, leading to blood backup in the left atrium (LA) and potential pulmonary congestion.
In which of the following valvular disorders does blood leak backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium?
A) Aortic stenosis
B) Aortic regurgitation
C) Mitral regurgitation
D) Tricuspid stenosis
C) Mitral regurgitation
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation allows blood to leak from the left ventricle (LV) back into the left atrium (LA) during systole, often caused by coronary artery disease (CAD) or mitral valve prolapse.
Which diagnostic test is most commonly used to assess valvular disorders?
A) CT scan
B) Echocardiogram
C) Pulmonary function test
D) Bone scan
B) Echocardiogram
Rationale: Echocardiograms are the gold standard for assessing valvular disorders, detecting stenosis, regurgitation, and blood flow abnormalities.
A patient with aortic regurgitation presents with dyspnea, fatigue, and palpitations. What is the underlying pathophysiology of this condition?
A) Blood leaks from the aorta back into the left ventricle, causing volume overload
B) Blood leaks from the left ventricle into the left atrium, increasing pulmonary congestion
C) The aortic valve is too narrow, obstructing blood flow into the systemic circulation
D) The mitral valve allows bidirectional blood flow between the atria and ventricles
A) Blood leaks from the aorta back into the left ventricle, causing volume overload
Rationale: Aortic regurgitation occurs when the aortic valve does not fully close, allowing blood to leak back into the LV during diastole, leading to LV dilation, volume overload, and heart failure if untreated.
A nurse is caring for a patient with mitral stenosis. Which of the following manifestations would the nurse expect to find?
A) Hypertension and bradycardia
B) Jugular vein distension and ascites
C) Pulmonary congestion and dyspnea
D) Absent peripheral pulses and cyanosis
C) Pulmonary congestion and dyspnea
Rationale: Mitral stenosis causes blood to back up into the left atrium, increasing pulmonary pressure, leading to pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, and fatigue.
A patient is diagnosed with tricuspid regurgitation. What chamber of the heart will blood back up into?
A) Left atrium
B) Left ventricle
C) Right atrium
D) Right ventricle
C) Right atrium
Rationale: Tricuspid regurgitation causes blood to leak from the right ventricle (RV) back into the right atrium (RA), leading to systemic venous congestion, edema, and jugular vein distension.
A patient with aortic stenosis requires valve replacement surgery. The nurse knows that which of the following is the most likely cause of this condition?
A) Rheumatic fever or congenital abnormality
B) Systemic hypertension
C) Bacterial endocarditis
D) Coronary artery disease
A) Rheumatic fever or congenital abnormality
Rationale: Aortic stenosis is most commonly due to congenital bicuspid aortic valve malformation or rheumatic fever, leading to progressive narrowing of the aortic valve.
A patient with a valvular disorder is prescribed prophylactic antibiotics before a dental procedure. What is the rationale for this treatment?
A) To prevent pericarditis
B) To reduce the risk of infective endocarditis
C) To prevent hypertensive crisis
D) To prevent bacterial pneumonia
B) To reduce the risk of infective endocarditis
Rationale: Patients with valvular disorders, prosthetic valves, or a history of rheumatic fever are at high risk for infective endocarditis and require prophylactic antibiotics before invasive procedures like dental cleanings.
What is stenosis in the context of valvular disorders?
A. Narrow valve that obstructs normal blood flow
B. Leaky valve that allows backward blood flow
C. Abnormal heart rhythm due to valve dysfunction
D. Abnormal thickening of the heart muscle
A. Narrow valve that obstructs normal blood flow
Rationale: Stenosis refers to a narrowing of the valve, which impedes the normal flow of blood through the heart, leading to pressure buildup in the affected chambers.
What is regurgitation in the context of valvular disorders?
A. Narrow valve that obstructs normal blood flow
B. Leaky valve that causes blood to flow backward
C. Valve that becomes stiff and immobile
D. Valve that thickens and restricts blood flow
B. Leaky valve that causes blood to flow backward
Rationale: Regurgitation occurs when a valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward into the chamber it was ejected from, causing bidirectional flow.
What are the common manifestations of valvular disorders?
A. Chest pain and shortness of breath
B. Fatigue and edema
C. Tachycardia and cyanosis
D. Severe chest pain and shock
B. Fatigue and edema
Rationale: Valvular disorders typically manifest as fatigue, edema, and symptoms related to impaired cardiac flow such as decreased blood circulation to peripheral areas.
What is the most common diagnostic method for valvular disorders?
A. Chest X-ray only
B. Echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and physical exam
C. MRI and blood tests
D. Ultrasound and CT scan
B. Echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, and physical exam
Rationale: Diagnosis is made using various methods, including an echocardiogram to visualize valve function, cardiac catheterization for direct measurement, and a physical exam to assess for symptoms like murmurs.
What treatments are available for valvular disorders?
A. Antibiotics and lifestyle changes only
B. Medications, valve repair or replacement, and prophylactic antibiotics
C. Blood transfusions and heart surgery
D. Diuretics and pacemaker insertion
B. Medications, valve repair or replacement, and prophylactic antibiotics
Rationale: Treatment for valvular disorders often involves medications, valve repair or replacement procedures, and prophylactic antibiotics before surgeries to prevent infection.
What causes aortic stenosis, and what part of the heart does blood back up into?
A. Caused by congenital defects or rheumatic fever; blood backs up into the left ventricle
B. Caused by infective endocarditis; blood backs up into the left atrium
C. Caused by aortic root disease; blood backs up into the right ventricle
D. Caused by CAD; blood backs up into the right atrium
A. Caused by congenital defects or rheumatic fever; blood backs up into the left ventricle
Rationale: Aortic stenosis is commonly caused by congenital abnormalities or rheumatic fever and results in blood backing up into the left ventricle due to the narrowed aortic valve.
What is aortic regurgitation, and which chamber of the heart does blood leak into?
A. Leaky aortic valve caused by infective endocarditis, blood leaks into the left ventricle
B. Narrow aortic valve caused by rheumatic fever, blood leaks into the right ventricle
C. Leaky mitral valve, blood leaks into the left atrium
D. Narrow tricuspid valve, blood leaks into the left atrium
A. Leaky aortic valve caused by infective endocarditis, blood leaks into the left ventricle
Rationale: Aortic regurgitation results from a leaky aortic valve, often caused by infective endocarditis, causing blood to leak back into the left ventricle.
What causes mitral stenosis, and where does blood back up?
A. Caused by rheumatic fever (GABHS); blood backs up into the left atrium
B. Caused by coronary artery disease; blood backs up into the left ventricle
C. Caused by congenital defects; blood backs up into the right ventricle
D. Caused by infective endocarditis; blood backs up into the right atrium
A. Caused by rheumatic fever (GABHS); blood backs up into the left atrium
Rationale: Mitral stenosis is often caused by rheumatic fever, leading to the narrowing of the mitral valve and causing blood to back up into the left atrium.
What causes mitral regurgitation, and which chamber does blood leak into?
A. Caused by CAD, blood leaks from the left ventricle to the left atrium
B. Caused by aortic root disease, blood leaks from the right ventricle to the left atrium
C. Caused by congenital defects, blood leaks from the right atrium to the left ventricle
D. Caused by infective endocarditis, blood leaks from the left atrium to the right ventricle
A. Caused by CAD, blood leaks from the left ventricle to the left atrium
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is caused by coronary artery disease (CAD) and results in blood leaking from the left ventricle to the left atrium due to the improper closure of the mitral valve.
What causes tricuspid regurgitation, and where does blood leak?
A. Caused by infective endocarditis; blood leaks from the left ventricle to the left atrium
B. Caused by congenital defects; blood leaks from the right ventricle to the right atrium
C. Caused by rheumatic fever; blood leaks from the right atrium to the left ventricle
D. Caused by CAD; blood leaks from the left atrium to the right ventricle
B. Caused by congenital defects; blood leaks from the right ventricle to the right atrium
Rationale: Tricuspid regurgitation is usually congenital and results in blood leaking backward from the right ventricle to the right atrium due to a leaky tricuspid valve.
