During an inspection of the precordium of an adult patient, the nurse notices the chest moving in a forceful manner along the sternal border.This finding most likely suggests:

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Normally, the examiner may or may not see an apical impulse; when visible, it occupies the fourth or fifth intercostal space at or inside the midclavicular line (MCL).A heave or lift is a sustained forceful thrusting of the ventricle during systole.It occurs with ventricular hypertrophy as a result of increased workload.A right ventricular heave is seen at the sternal border; a left ventricular heave is seen at the apex.

During an Inspection of the Precordium of an Adult Patient