Question

Which signs/symptoms should the nurse assess in any client who has long-term valvular disease? Select all that apply.

a. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
b. Orthopnea.
c. Cough.
d. Pericardial friction rub.
e. Pulsus paradoxus.

Answer 1

In patients with long-term valvular disease, signs such as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea, and cough are key symptoms to assess, whereas pericardial friction rub and pulsus paradoxus are not typically associated with valvular disease and relate to other conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Signs and symptoms to assess in patients with long-term valvular disease include a range of cardiac and respiratory issues. For a client presenting with long-term valvular disease, the nurse should assess for the following:

1. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea - Episodes of severe shortness of breath and coughing that occur at night and may wake the person from sleep.
2. Orthopnea - Difficulty breathing when lying flat due to fluid accumulation in the lungs.
3. Cough - A cough that could be indicative of fluid overload or complications associated with valvular heart disease.

Other signs such as pericardial friction rub and pulsus paradoxus are more commonly associated with pericarditis and other conditions, and are not typical of long-term valvular disease itself.