A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). What order does the nurse anticipate providing?

A. Prepare for transcutaneous pacing: Transcutaneous pacing is used to treat symptomatic bradycardia or heart block, which are not primary concerns in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. HCM typically involves obstruction of ventricular outflow and risk for arrhythmias, but pacing is not a first-line intervention. B. Instructing the client to start an aerobic exercise plan: Aerobic exercise may increase the risk of sudden cardiac death in clients with HCM due to potential arrhythmias and increased myocardial oxygen demand. Exercise recommendations are usually individualized and often limited rather than broadly prescribed. C. Instruct the client to perform a Valsalva maneuver: The Valsalva maneuver transiently decreases venous return and can exacerbate left ventricular outflow obstruction in HCM, potentially worsening symptoms. It is generally contraindicated rather than recommended. D. Preparing for a cardiac catheterization: Cardiac catheterization may be indicated to assess the severity of left ventricular outflow obstruction, measure intracardiac pressures, and evaluate coronary anatomy in HCM. It is a diagnostic intervention that guides treatment planning, making it an anticipated order for newly admitted clients.