While caring for a 23-year-old patient with mitral valve prolapse ...

[Mr3Hunna]

While caring for a 23-year-old patient with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) without valvular regurgitation, the nurse determines that discharge teaching has been effective when the patient states that it will be necessary to
 
  a. take antibiotics before any dental appointments.
  b. limit physical activity to avoid stressing the heart.
  c. take an aspirin a day to prevent clots from forming on the valve.
  d. avoid use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications that contain stimulant drugs.

Question 2

A 21-year-old woman is scheduled for percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty to treat mitral stenosis. Which information should the nurse include when explaining the advantages of valvuloplasty over valve replacement to the patient?
 
  a. Biologic valves will require immunosuppressive drugs after surgery.
  b. Mechanical mitral valves need to be replaced sooner than biologic valves.
  c. Lifelong anticoagulant therapy will be needed after mechanical valve replacement.
  d. Ongoing cardiac care by a health care provider is not necessary after valvuloplasty.

[morrie123456]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Use of stimulant medications should be avoided by patients with MVP because these may exacerbate symptoms. Daily aspirin and restricted physical activity are not needed by patients with mild MVP. Antibiotic prophylaxis is needed for patients with MVP with regurgitation but will not be necessary for this patient.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Long-term anticoagulation therapy is needed after mechanical valve replacement, and this would restrict decisions about career and childbearing in this patient. Mechanical valves are durable and last longer than biologic valves. All valve repair procedures are palliative, not curative, and require lifelong health care. Biologic valves do not activate the immune system, and immunosuppressive therapy is not needed.

[Mr3Hunna]

Excellent

[cam1229]

TYSM