The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Mitral Stenosis

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?

A) The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis in a physicians office.
B) Repaired valves tend to function longer than replaced valves.
C) The procedure is not associated with a risk for infection.
D) Lower doses of antirejection drugs are required than with valve replacement.