During an assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's apical impulse is laterally displaced and is palpable over a wide area. What does this finding indicate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

With volume overload, as in heart failure and cardiomyopathy, cardiac enlargement laterally displaces the apical impulse and is palpable over a wider area when left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation are present. A thrill in the second and third right interspaces occurs with systemic hypertension and aortic stenosis and a thrill in the second and thirdleft interspaces occurs with pulmonic hypertension.

During an Assessment, the Nurse Notes That the Patient's Apical