Assessment of a Patient Nursing Practice Question
The nurse is caring for a hospitalized child with a diagnosis of rheumatic fever who has developed carditis. The mother asks the nurse to explain the meaning of carditis. On which description of this complication of rheumatic fever should the nurse base a response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Carditis is the inflammation of all parts of the heart, primarily the mitral valve, and it is a complication of rheumatic fever. Option 1 describes chorea. Option 3 describes polyarthritis. Option 4 describes erythema marginatum.