Question

A 73-year old female patient has severe aortic stenosis. After the nurse assesses the patient, which of the following findings should he/she expect?

A. Diastolic murmur
B. Narrowed pulse pressure
C. Bounding pulse
D. Hypertension

Answer 1

A nurse should expect to find a narrowed pulse pressure when assessing a 73-year-old female patient with severe aortic stenosis, as the condition results in reduced stroke volume due to the rigidity of the aortic valve.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a 73-year-old female patient with severe aortic stenosis, a nurse should expect to find a narrowed pulse pressure (B). Aortic stenosis typically leads to a diminished stroke volume as the heart works harder to pump blood through the narrowed valve, resulting in a narrowing of the pulse pressure. This condition is characterized by the hardening or rigidity of the aortic valve, which can lead to other cardiac complications if not managed properly. A diastolic murmur (A) is not usually associated with aortic stenosis, as this condition typically produces a systolic murmur. A bounding pulse (C) is characteristic of conditions such as aortic insufficiency but not stenosis, and while hypertension (D) can be related to many cardiovascular disorders, it is not a direct consequence of aortic stenosis.