Final answer:
Shortness of breath on minimal exertion and a diastolic murmur are clinical findings that would most likely indicate decreased cardiac output in a patient with aortic valve regurgitation. The correct answer is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
A clinical finding that would most likely indicate decreased cardiac output in a patient with aortic valve regurgitation is shortness of breath on minimal exertion and a diastolic murmur. Aortic valve regurgitation is a condition where blood leaks back into the left ventricle when the aortic valve doesn't close properly. This leads to a decrease in the amount of blood being pumped out of the heart, resulting in decreased cardiac output. The symptoms of shortness of breath on minimal exertion and a diastolic murmur are characteristic of decreased cardiac output. The clinical finding that would most likely indicate a decreased cardiac output in a patient with aortic valve regurgitation is shortness of breath on minimal exertion and a diastolic murmur.
This symptom aligns well with the effects of aortic insufficiency, where the aortic valve does not close properly, leading to the backflow of blood into the left ventricle and reducing the efficiency of the heart's pumping action. A diastolic murmur occurs during the heart's relaxation phase, which is when the aortic valve would normally close, and its presence can indicate irregularities in valve function. Conversely, the reduction in peripheral edema and weight would not suggest decreased output, and carotid venous distention with new-onset atrial fibrillation, while serious, does not directly indicate decreased cardiac output. Significant pulse paradoxus and diminished peripheral pulses suggest a cardiac tamponade or severe asthma/COPD, neither of which are directly associated with aortic regurgitation.