When auscultating over a patient's carotid arteries, the nurse notices the presence of a bruit on the left side.
The nurse knows that bruits:

Choice A rationale

Lymphadenopathy refers to enlarged lymph nodes, which are palpable structures of the immune system. Bruits are vascular sounds, specifically turbulent blood flow, and are entirely unrelated to the presence or size of lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy indicates an immune response or lymphatic system issue, whereas bruits indicate arterial pathology.

Choice B rationale

Hypermetabolic states, such as hyperthyroidism, can increase cardiac output and blood flow velocity, potentially leading to flow murmurs in the heart. However, they do not directly cause bruits in the carotid arteries. Carotid bruits are typically indicative of localized arterial narrowing or disease, not a systemic increase in metabolism.

Choice C rationale

Bruits are audible vascular sounds, often described as a "whooshing" or "swishing" sound, that result from turbulent blood flow through a narrowed or partially occluded artery. In the carotid arteries, a bruit strongly suggests atherosclerotic plaque formation, which reduces the arterial lumen and disrupts the smooth, laminar flow of blood, creating turbulence.

Choice D rationale

Bruits are arterial sounds, reflecting turbulence within arteries. Venous disease primarily involves veins, and while some venous conditions like arteriovenous fistulas can produce continuous murmurs, typical bruits heard over carotid arteries are characteristic of arterial narrowing and compromise, not venous pathology. Venous hums can occur but are distinctly different from arterial bruits.