Corrine is a 48-year-old mother who is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of ruled out mitral stenosis. She signed the consent for surgery to correct her stenosed valve because of unbearable signs and symptoms. She is complaining of difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, orthopnea, and paroxysmal dyspnea. The nurse is aware that these symptoms are the result of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse is aware that the symptoms are due to pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary congestion secondary to left atrial hypertrophy causes these symptoms. The left ventricle does not hypertrophy in mitral stenosis; right heart failure would cause abdominal discomfort and peripheral edema; pericardial thickening does not occur.

Corrine Is a 48-Year-Old Mother Who Is Admitted to the Hospital