Final answer:
A blowing or swooshing sound heard in one carotid artery during a neck assessment is likely caused by turbulence from an artery narrowing or blockage, such as atherosclerosis, rather than a heart murmur or general hypertension.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the nurse is performing a neck assessment and detects a blowing or swooshing sound upon auscultation of the left carotid artery while the right sounds clear, this could indicate turbulent blood flow through the vessel. This turbulence is often caused by an irregularity, such as a narrowing or blockage, due to conditions like atherosclerosis. Heart murmurs, which are also a result of turbulent blood flow, are produced around damaged heart valves and are detectable during such exams. However, the sound described here is more indicative of a local arterial issue like atherosclerosis rather than a heart murmur, which would typically be heard in the chest area. It is less likely to be related to general conditions such as hypertension or to events like a pulmonary embolism, which would present other clinical signs and symptoms. A bruit in the carotid artery is often associated with turbulent blood flow caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque or fatty deposits in the artery. This can lead to narrowing of the vessel and disruption of normal blood flow, creating abnormal sounds that can be heard with a stethoscope. It's important to further assess and monitor the patient for signs of vascular disease and consider appropriate interventions to address the underlying cause.