The nurse is assessing a client with infective endocarditis (IE). Which of the following would be an expected finding? Select all that apply.
The nurse is assessing a client with infective endocarditis (IE). Which of the following would be an expected finding? Select all that apply.
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Adult Health
Lesson
Cardiovascular
Client Need
Test Plan
Physiological Adaptation
Related Topic
Alterations in Body Systems
Item Type
Item Type
Knowledge/Comprehension
Explanation
Choices A, B, C, D, and F are correct. Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious condition that, if untreated, may lead to heart failure. Infectious symptoms are the hallmark of this condition, including fever, night sweats, chills, weight loss, headache, and malaise. Other physical manifestations that may be assessed with IE include a cardiac murmur, Janeway lesions (flat, reddened maculae on hands and feet), Roth spots (hemorrhagic lesions that appear as round or oval spots on the retina), and Osler nodes (on palms of hands and soles of feet).
Choice E is incorrect. Syncope is not a clinical feature of IE. This would be associated if the client was to have a vasovagal reaction.
Related Videos
2 Key Topics
Endocarditis
18.12 Heart Disorders
Additional Info
✓ Infective endocarditis occurs primarily in clients with injection drug use (IDU) and those who have had valve replacements, have experienced systemic alterations in immunity, or have structural cardiac defects.
✓ This condition is caused by the invasion of bacteria that enter the client through contaminated needles, oral cavity following dental procedures, and/or skin abscesses.
✓ Classic manifestations of IE include
• Fever associated with chills, night sweats, malaise, and fatigue
• Anorexia and weight loss
• Cardiac murmur (newly developed or change in existing)
• Petechiae
• Splinter hemorrhages
• Osler nodes (on palms of hands and soles of feet)
• Janeway lesions (flat, reddened maculae on hands and feet)
• Roth spots (hemorrhagic lesions that appear as round or oval spots on the retina)
- Positive blood cultures
✓ Treatment of IE is antibiotic therapy for several weeks.
✓ Complications include myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, renal infarction, stroke, and septic arthritis.
