Obstruction in blood flowing from the left atrium in to left ventricle is known as-

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Explanation

Mitral stenosis is a narrowing (stenosis) of the mitral valve orifice, which is the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.
This narrowing creates an obstruction that impedes blood from flowing forward from the left atrium into the left ventricle during ventricular diastole (filling).
The most common cause is rheumatic endocarditis, which leads to thickening and fusion of the valve leaflets, progressively narrowing the opening.
This condition leads to decreased cardiac output because the left ventricle does not fill adequately.

Option A: This is the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. It is a problem of leakage due to improper valve closure, not a forward obstruction.
Option B: This is a condition where the mitral valve leaflets bulge (prolapse) into the left atrium during systole. It is a structural abnormality that can cause mitral regurgitation but is not itself a primary obstruction to forward flow.
Option D: This condition involves the aortic valve, not the mitral valve. It is the backward flow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. It affects the outflow tract of the left ventricle, not the inflow.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pathophysiology of valvular heart disease, specifically mitral stenosis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must be skilled in auscultating heart sounds. A key sign of mitral stenosis is a low-pitched, rumbling diastolic murmur heard best at the apex of the heart.
Key symptoms to monitor for are dyspnea on exertion (shortness of breath with activity), fatigue, and orthopnea, which are caused by pulmonary congestion and low cardiac output.
A major complication of mitral stenosis is atrial fibrillation, which occurs because the left atrium stretches and becomes electrically unstable. This increases the risk of stroke from blood clots forming in the enlarged atrium.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question. The key phrases are 'Obstruction', 'left atrium', and 'left ventricle'.
Recall the anatomy of the heart. The valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle is the mitral valve.
Understand the terminology. 'Stenosis' means narrowing or obstruction. 'Regurgitation' means backward flow or leakage.
Combine these concepts: An obstruction at the mitral valve is called mitral stenosis.
Evaluate the options. 'Mitral stenosis' is the only option that accurately describes an obstruction of the mitral valve.
Eliminate the other options. 'Regurgitation' refers to leakage, and 'aortic' refers to the wrong valve.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Pathophysiology of valvular heart disease, specifically mitral stenosis.
Stem keywords: Obstruction, blood flowing, left atrium, left ventricle
Lead-in keywords: is known as
Negative lead-in flag: false

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