When discussing the clinical manifestations of mitral stenosis with a patient on the cardiac unit, it would be important for the nurse to emphasize which of the following as the first symptom of mitral stenosis?
A) Palpable arterial pulsations
B) New murmur
C) Difficulty breathing
D) Mitral click
Ans: C
Feedback: The first symptom of mitral stenosis is often breathing difficulty (dyspnea) on exertion as a result of pulmonary venous hypertension. Patients with mitral stenosis are likely to show progressive fatigue as a result of low cardiac output. Palpable arterial pulsations are present in aortic regurgitation. A mitral click is present in patients with mitral valve prolapse. When a new murmur is found in a patient with a systemic infection, infectious endocarditis would be suspected.
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