A nurse caring for a patient with mitral stenosis understands that the initial cause of disruption to the normal flow of blood through the heart is due to:
a) Atrial hypertrophy.
b) Inadequate left ventricle filling.
c) Pulmonary circulation congestion.
d) The increased resistance of a narrowed orifice between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
Answer: The increased resistance of a narrowed orifice between the left atrium and the left ventricle.