(1 point). Listen.
A patient has atherosclerosis.
Which factor associated with endothelial injury will the nurse observe written in the history?

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:

Troponin T is a cardiac biomarker used to diagnose myocardial infarction, not to determine the severity of heart failure. It is not the most appropriate laboratory result to monitor for heart failure severity.

Choice B rationale:

C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation and is not typically used to determine the severity of heart failure. While inflammation can be present in heart failure, it is not a specific marker for its severity.

Choice C rationale:

Potassium levels can be important in heart failure management, but they do not directly indicate the severity of heart failure. Abnormal potassium levels can be a consequence of heart failure and its treatment.

Choice D rationale:

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is the most appropriate laboratory result to monitor to determine the severity of heart failure in a patient. Elevated levels of BNP are associated with increased severity of heart failure. BNP is released by the heart in response to increased pressure and volume, which occurs in heart failure.