Final answer:
Splinter hemorrhages and fever are manifestations of infective endocarditis, caused by bacteria infecting the heart's inner lining. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should identify the findings of splinter hemorrhages of the nail beds and a reported fever as manifestations of infective endocarditis. Such nail bed changes can occur with subacute presentations of this disease, which typically involves bacteria entering the bloodstream and infecting the layers of the heart, specifically the endocardium. In comparison, pericarditis is typically associated with chest pain and breathing difficulties rather than nail bed changes. Myocarditis affects the heart muscle and does not commonly present with splinter hemorrhages, whereas rheumatic endocarditis is a consequence of rheumatic fever following untreated streptococcal infections and is characterized by damage to the heart valves.
The nurse should identify these findings as manifestations of infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, known as the endocardium. It can be caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and traveling to the heart. Splinter hemorrhages of the nail beds and a fever are common manifestations of infective endocarditis. SEO keywords: infective endocarditis, inner lining of the heart, endocardium, bacteria, bloodstream, splinter hemorrhages, nail beds, fever