Question

The nurse is assessing a client with infective endocarditis. Which assessment finding indicates the client may have developed splinter hemorrhages?

a) Elevated blood pressure
b) Yellowing of the skin
c) Red, swollen joints
d) Small linear red or brown lines under the nails

Answer 1

For a client with infective endocarditis, the presence of small linear red or brown lines under the nails indicates the development of splinter hemorrhages. Splinter hemorrhages result from blood leaking from capillaries beneath the nails, which is a symptom to be aware of when assessing for endocarditis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse assessing a client with infective endocarditis would be on the lookout for certain clinical symptoms indicative of the condition. Among the assessment findings, the one that indicates the client may have developed splinter hemorrhages is d) Small linear red or brown lines under the nails. Splinter hemorrhages are caused by small amounts of blood leaking from the capillaries under the nails.

It is important to continue monitoring for other signs consistent with infective endocarditis, like fever, heart murmur, and embolic phenomena, alongside conducting blood cultures and echocardiogram for proper diagnosis and management of the condition.

Vasculitis refers to the inflammation of the blood vessels and can sometimes be seen in the context of endocarditis. Vasculitis can cause blood to leak from damaged vessels, forming purple spots called petechiae. In the case of infective endocarditis, a condition that also involves inflammation of the blood vessels, splinter hemorrhages can occur as one of the many possible vascular manifestations due to the embolic phenomena.