A child develops carditis from rheumatic fever. Which areas of the heart are affected by carditis?

Choice A reason: Limiting movement increases venous stasis, raising deep vein thrombosis risk. Mobility, like walking, promotes venous return, preventing clots. This is incorrect, as the nurse should teach interventions like compression devices to enhance circulation, not restrict movement, which worsens thrombosis risk.

Choice B reason: Sequential compression devices promote venous return by applying intermittent pressure, reducing stasis and preventing deep vein thrombosis. This is a standard intervention for immobile patients, making it the correct choice to include in teaching for effective DVT prevention among newly licensed nurses.

Choice C reason: Massaging lower extremities risks dislodging clots, increasing embolism risk in patients prone to deep vein thrombosis. Compression devices are safer, making this incorrect, as the nurse should avoid teaching interventions that could cause harm instead of preventing thrombosis.

Choice D reason: Checking for Homan’s sign (calf pain on dorsiflexion) is a diagnostic, not preventive, measure for deep vein thrombosis and is unreliable. Preventive interventions like compression devices are prioritized, making this incorrect for teaching, as it does not contribute to DVT prevention strategies.

Choice A reason: Increasing blood pressure is not the goal of antihypertensive therapy, which aims to lower blood pressure to prevent organ damage. Hypertension increases cardiovascular risk, and therapy reduces pressure, not raises it, making this an incorrect goal for managing Mr. Carter’s condition.

Choice B reason: The primary goal of antihypertensive therapy is to reduce cardiovascular complications, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure, by lowering blood pressure. This decreases vascular strain and organ damage, improving long-term outcomes, making it the correct goal for Mr. Carter’s hypertension management.

Choice C reason: Hypertension is a chronic condition, and antihypertensive therapy manages, not cures, it. Medications control blood pressure but do not eliminate the underlying pathophysiology, making a permanent cure an incorrect goal, as ongoing treatment and lifestyle changes are typically required.

Choice D reason: Antihypertensive therapy complements, not eliminates, lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, which are essential for blood pressure control. Eliminating lifestyle changes is not a goal, as they enhance therapy efficacy, making this an incorrect objective for Mr. Carter’s treatment plan.