A patient is experiencing increased afterload. How would this condition likely impact the heart structure over time?
It enlarges the heart chambers.
It strengthens heart valves.
It thickens heart walls.
It thins the heart walls
The Correct Answer is C
A. It enlarges the heart chambers – This is typically seen with volume overload, not pressure overload. Volume overload leads to chamber dilation, not wall thickening.
B. It strengthens heart valves – Afterload does not improve valve function; in fact, high afterload can worsen conditions like aortic stenosis over time.
C. It thickens heart walls – The heart compensates for increased afterload (e.g., from chronic hypertension or aortic stenosis) by hypertrophying (thickening) the ventricular walls. This is called concentric hypertrophy, a structural adaptation to increased pressure.
D. It thins the heart walls – Thinning occurs in conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy where the problem is decreased contractility and volume overload, not increased afterload.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Dependent edema is more commonly seen in right-sided heart failure due to systemic venous congestion.
B. A hacking cough, especially at night or when lying down, is a common symptom of left-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary congestion.
C. Abdominal distension is typically related to right-sided heart failure causing liver congestion and ascites.
D. Jugular venous distention is a sign of right-sided heart failure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Viral meningitis is typically self-limiting and patients usually recover fully without specific antiviral treatment.
B. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections and are not indicated.
C. Viral meningitis is caused by viruses, not bacteria.
D. Viral meningitis is generally less severe than bacterial meningitis and rarely life-threatening.
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