(^66) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Murmur at apex
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) on exertion
- Fatigue because of a poorly functioning heart
- Weakness because the heart is working inefficiently
- Palpations because the heart needs to work harder to pump blood
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Cardiac catheterization depicts the flow through the mitral valve.
- X-ray shows enlarged left atrial and left ventricle.
- EKG depicts left atrial hypertrophy, exhibiting as broad, notched P-waves in
lead II with negative deflection of the P-wave in lead V1.
TREATMENT
Mitral stenosis is generally a progressive disease and treatment is directed at main-
taining function. When necessary, mitral replacement is indicated. Most of these
patients need endocarditis antibiotic prophylaxis, which is administering anti-
biotics to prevent a bacterial infection occurring before invasive procedures and
dental cleaning. If atrial fibrillation occurs, anticoagulation is indicated.- Medication to stabilize symptoms.
- Administer anticoagulant medication following surgery to prevent thrombus
around the aortic valve:- heparin
- warfarin
- dalteparin
- enoxaparin
- Mitral valve repair or replacement.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Anxiety
- Decreased cardiac output
- Activity intolerance