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Clients with mitral stenosis are likely to show signs of congestion primarily in which area?

  1. Pulmonary circulation

  2. Descending aorta

  3. Superior vena cava

  4. Bundle of His

The correct answer is: Pulmonary circulation

Clients with mitral stenosis experience an obstruction of blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle due to the narrowing of the mitral valve. This condition leads to increased pressure in the left atrium, which subsequently causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation. As a result, individuals with mitral stenosis often present with signs and symptoms of pulmonary congestion, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and possible pulmonary edema. The buildup of fluid in the lungs is a direct consequence of the elevated pressures in the left atrium, which exerts pressure through the pulmonary veins and into the lungs. The other answer choices do not primarily relate to the effects of mitral stenosis. The descending aorta and superior vena cava would not show signs of congestion directly linked to this specific cardiac condition. The Bundle of His, being part of the heart's electrical conduction system, does not relate to vascular congestion. Thus, pulmonary circulation is the area most significantly affected by mitral stenosis due to the resultant increased pressures leading to congestive symptoms.