A patient is undergoing diagnostic testing for mitral stenosis. What statement by the patient during the nurse's interview is most suggestive of this valvular disorder?
A) "I get chest pain from time to time, but it usually resolves when I rest."
B) "Sometimes when I'm resting, I can feel my heart skip a beat."
C) "Whenever I do any form of exercise I get terribly short of breath."
D) "My feet and ankles have gotten terribly puffy the last few weeks."
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. Palpitations occur in some patients, but dyspnea is a characteristic early symptom. Peripheral edema and chest pain are atypical.
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