Question

A patient with aortic valve endocarditis reports fatigue and shortness of breath. Crackles are heard on lung auscultation. What do these assessment findings most likely indicate?

a. Emboli to the lung
b. Valve incompetence resulting in heart failure
c. Valve stenosis resulting in increased chamber size
d. Coronary artery disease

Answer 1

The assessment findings indicate valve incompetence resulting in heart failure in a patient with aortic valve endocarditis. The crackles heard on lung auscultation are indicative of fluid accumulation in the lungs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assessment findings of fatigue, shortness of breath, and crackles heard on lung auscultation in a patient with aortic valve endocarditis most likely indicate valve incompetence resulting in heart failure (option b).

In aortic valve endocarditis, the infection can cause damage to the heart valve, leading to valve incompetence. This means that the valve is not closing properly, resulting in blood flowing backwards into the heart chambers.

This can lead to heart failure, which manifests as symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath. The crackles heard on lung auscultation are a result of fluid accumulation in the lungs, a common symptom of heart failure.