[kad13579]

I have a cardiac exam on Monday morning. Can anyone help me to understand valvular disorders--Mitral and Aortic stenosis and Mitral and Aortic insufficiency? I can feel my brain swelling from all of the info. that I have stuffed in there.

[srivie21]

I have the same problem. I am trying to differentiate all the valvular disorders and its all jumbled into one. As soon as i get answer i will answer you. I have a test monday too. LOL.

[hagatha]

You probably already know this, but..remember stenosis is the narrowing of a valve, which obstructs blood flow and causes decreased output and tissue profusion. Insufficiency (prolapse/regurgitation) is the failure of the valve to close which causes blood to back up in the heart to the previous chambers which can also cause hypertrophy of a chamber and requires the heart to work harder to pump blood. Both of these disorders can have very serious pulmonary effects due to the volume overload (back-up). I know this is very simplistic, but remember, you are not in med school and you need to focus on what is happening as far as the client's response and what would the nurse do. Think about signs and symptoms more than actual clinical pathophys.

[kad13579]

Thank you so much! I feel like I probably just think too much into everything. I am so nervous about tests!

[locolorenzo22]

You have to focus on the associated s/e from such conditions....L sided heart failure is going to cause pulmonary issues, and dyspnea, etc....R sided will cause distention, edema, other body issues from backing up.....just a quick ref..