The nurse is caring for a child with a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. The child's parent asks the nurse, "How does Kawasaki disease affect my child's heart and blood vessels?" On what understanding is the nurse's response based?
Explanation & Rationale
B Kawasaki disease primarily affects medium-sized arteries, including the coronary arteries. The inflammation associated with Kawasaki disease can weaken the walls of the blood vessels, leading to the formation of aneurysms, particularly in the coronary arteries. Coronary artery aneurysms are a hallmark complication of Kawasaki disease and can increase the risk of myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular problems. A This option describes a possible consequence of Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease can cause inflammation of the blood vessels, including the coronary arteries, which can lead to the formation of coronary artery aneurysms. These aneurysms can disrupt blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to ischemia and potentially heart failure. C Mitral valve stenosis is not a typical complication of Kawasaki disease. While Kawasaki disease can affect the cardiovascular system and lead to complications such as coronary artery aneurysms, it does not typically cause mitral valve stenosis. D Atherosclerosis is not a direct consequence of Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease primarily involves inflammation of the blood vessels rather than changes in lipid levels, which are more commonly associated with conditions such as hyperlipidemia or familial hypercholesterolemia.