Aortic Stenosis — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Triad: angina, syncope, dyspneaAlso known as: narrowed aortic valve · tight valve out of the heart
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Aortic Stenosis on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Mech
- LV outflow obstruction
- ↑ LV workload → hypertrophy
🩺 Signs
- Angina, syncope, exertional dyspnea
- Systolic crescendo murmur
- Narrow pulse pressure
📌 Avoid
- Nitrates → severe ↓BP
- Avoid exertion, vasodilators
✅ Do
- Valve replacement (TAVR/surgery)
- Monitor for HF, syncope
📚 Aortic Stenosis — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- Classic triad: angina, syncope (especially on exertion), and dyspnea/heart failure.
- Produces a harsh systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur radiating to the carotids.
- Left ventricular hypertrophy develops as the heart pumps against the obstruction.
- Symptomatic aortic stenosis carries a poor prognosis without valve replacement.
- Treatment is surgical valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
- Avoid drugs that drop preload/afterload (nitrates, diuretics, vasodilators) as they can cause dangerous hypotension and syncope.
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- Monitor for syncope, exertional chest pain, and signs of heart failure.
- Use caution with vasodilators, nitrates, and diuretics that can precipitate severe hypotension.
- Assess for the characteristic systolic murmur and monitor blood pressure closely.
- Pace activity to avoid exertion-triggered syncope or angina.
- Provide pre/postoperative care for valve replacement or TAVR and monitor for arrhythmias.
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Syncope or near-fainting on exertion signals critical obstruction — report immediately.
- Sudden severe hypotension after nitrates or vasodilators is dangerous in aortic stenosis.
- New chest pain or signs of acute heart failure (severe dyspnea, crackles) require urgent evaluation.
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Avoid strenuous exertion and report fainting, chest pain, or worsening shortness of breath.
- Do not take nitroglycerin or other vasodilators unless specifically prescribed for this condition.
- Inform providers of valve disease before dental or invasive procedures.
- Change positions slowly to prevent fainting and avoid dehydration.
❓ Aortic Stenosis: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Aortic Stenosis?
Monitor for syncope, exertional chest pain, and signs of heart failure. Use caution with vasodilators, nitrates, and diuretics that can precipitate severe hypotension. Assess for the characteristic systolic murmur and monitor blood pressure closely. Pace activity to avoid exertion-triggered syncope or angina.
What are the warning signs of Aortic Stenosis a nurse must report?
Syncope or near-fainting on exertion signals critical obstruction — report immediately. Sudden severe hypotension after nitrates or vasodilators is dangerous in aortic stenosis. New chest pain or signs of acute heart failure (severe dyspnea, crackles) require urgent evaluation.
What do I need to know about Aortic Stenosis for the NCLEX?
Classic triad: angina, syncope (especially on exertion), and dyspnea/heart failure. Produces a harsh systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur radiating to the carotids. Left ventricular hypertrophy develops as the heart pumps against the obstruction. Symptomatic aortic stenosis carries a poor prognosis without valve replacement.
What patient teaching is important for Aortic Stenosis?
Avoid strenuous exertion and report fainting, chest pain, or worsening shortness of breath. Do not take nitroglycerin or other vasodilators unless specifically prescribed for this condition. Inform providers of valve disease before dental or invasive procedures. Change positions slowly to prevent fainting and avoid dehydration.
Quick Tip
Classic triad: angina, syncope (especially on exertion), and dyspnea/heart failure.
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