(1 point). Listen.
A nurse is asked what causes infective endocarditis.
What is the nurse's best answer?

Choice A rationale:

Rheumatic heart disease can lead to valvular stenosis and regurgitation, but the question asks for a finding that will cause the nurse to assess the patient for both valvular stenosis and regurgitation. While rheumatic heart disease can affect the heart valves, it may predominantly lead to stenosis or regurgitation, not both simultaneously. Connective tissue disorders are more likely to affect multiple heart valves, causing both stenosis and regurgitation.

Choice B rationale:

Syphilis infection can cause syphilitic aortitis, which can lead to aortic valve regurgitation, but it doesn't commonly result in stenosis of heart valves. The question specifies assessing the patient for both valvular stenosis and regurgitation, so connective tissue disorders are a more appropriate choice as they can affect multiple valves simultaneously.

Choice C rationale:

Connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can lead to structural abnormalities in heart valves, causing both valvular stenosis and regurgitation. These conditions affect the connective tissues that provide support to heart valves, leading to their dysfunction. Therefore, when a nurse finds a patient with a connective tissue disorder in their history, it's important to assess the patient for both types of valve dysfunction.

Choice D rationale:

Heart failure is a general term for the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively. While heart failure can lead to valvular abnormalities over time, it is not the primary condition that causes both valvular stenosis and regurgitation. Connective tissue disorders are more specifically associated with these structural heart valve abnormalities. .

Choice A rationale:

Albumin and aldosterone. Rationale: Albumin and aldosterone are not typically used to diagnose myocardial infarction. These are not specific markers for cardiac injury. Choice A is incorrect.

Choice B rationale:

Sodium and potassium. Rationale: Sodium and potassium levels are important for assessing electrolyte balance, but they are not specific indicators of myocardial infarction. Choice B is incorrect.

Choice C rationale:

Creatine phosphate (CK-MB) and troponin 1. Rationale: Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin 1 are specific cardiac markers that are elevated in the blood following a myocardial infarction. CK-MB is an isoenzyme of creatine kinase found primarily in the heart, and troponin is a protein released from damaged heart muscle cells. Elevated levels of these markers are indicative of myocardial infarction. Choice C is the correct answer.

Choice D rationale:

Cholesterol and HDL. Rationale: Cholesterol and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) levels are relevant for assessing cardiovascular risk but are not specific markers for myocardial infarction. Choice D is incorrect.