Stratford university NSG210 Review Questions Exam 2

Cardiac
Define aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, and aortic regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis. Aortic stenosis is often caused by calcification of the aortic valve with aging, a process 
called aortic sclerosis. This produces a narrowing of the aortic valve that impedes the ejection of blood 
flow from the left ventricle into the aorta during systole. It causes increased resistance against the left 
ventricle, which eventually causes left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
Mitral regurgitation, also known as mitral insufficiency, occurs when the mitral valve does not close 
completely during systole. As the left ventricle contracts, blood from the ventricle refluxes back into the 
left atrium. This increased blood volume in the left atrium increases backward pressure within the 
pulmonary veins.
Define pericarditis
Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardial membrane that surrounds the heart. It usually appears
on the second or third day after MI. The patient experiences sharp, stabbing pain that is aggravated with 
deep inspiration and positional changes. Pericarditis can occur as a component of Dressler’s 
syndrome, which is a hypersensitivity reaction to the tissue necrosis of MI.
List the causes of a pulmonary embolism
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the femoral vein can travel into the inferior vena cava and flow in