Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Nurse Maureen would expect a client with mitral stenosis to demonstrate symptoms associated with congestion in which area?

1. a. aorta.

2. b. pulmonary.

3. c. right atrium.

4. d. superior vena cava.

The correct answer is: b. pulmonary.

When considering mitral stenosis, it is important to understand how this condition affects blood flow within the heart and its consequences on the circulatory system. Mitral stenosis occurs when the mitral valve does not open fully, restricting blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This restriction can lead to an increase in pressure within the left atrium, causing blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation. As the pressure rises in the pulmonary veins, this results in pulmonary congestion, which manifests as symptoms such as shortness of breath, orthopnea, and pulmonary edema. The other areas mentioned—such as the aorta, right atrium, and superior vena cava—are not primarily affected in the same manner as the pulmonary circulation in the context of mitral stenosis. The aorta is part of the systemic circulation, and while the right atrium and superior vena cava may experience changes in pressure as a result of overall heart function, they are not the primary sites of congestion due to dealing with venous return from the body's tissues rather than the lungs. Therefore, the expectation of congestion in the pulmonary area is characteristic of mitral stenosis.