A patient has been admitted with an aortic valve stenosis. The patient has been scheduled for a balloon valvuloplasty in the cardiac cath lab later today

During the admission assessment the patient tells the nurse he has thoracolumbar scoliosis and is concerned about lying on the table in the cath lab for any period of time. What is a priority action for the nurse?
A) There is no need to do anything.
B) Measure the degree of the curvature.
C) Notify the surgeon immediately.
D) Note the scoliosis on the intake assessment.


Ans: C
Feedback: Most often used for mitral and aortic valve stenosis, balloon valvuloplasty also has been used for tricuspid and pulmonic valve stenosis. The procedure is contraindicated for patients with left atrial or ventricular thrombus, severe aortic root dilation, significant mitral valve regurgitation, thoracolumbar scoliosis, rotation of the great vessels, and other cardiac conditions that require open heart surgery. Therefore notifying the physician would be the priority.

Nursing

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