Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free Cardiac Vascular Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the interventricular septum. This abnormal thickening can lead to a narrowed left ventricular outflow tract, which presents a significant clinical concern. When the outflow tract is narrowed, it can impede the flow of blood from the heart, leading to decreased cardiac output. This diminished output can cause various complications, such as syncope (fainting) during exertion or heart failure symptoms.

While other options present potential concerns associated with various cardiac conditions, they are not the primary clinical concern specific to HCM. For instance, while increased risk of atrial fibrillation may occur in some hypertrophic patients, it is not the primary concern. Similarly, while pulmonary congestion can arise from various cardiac disorders, it is not exclusively tied to HCM in the same manner as the outflow tract obstruction, and increased ventricular dilation is not a hallmark of HCM since it typically presents more with thickening rather than dilation.

Thus, the focus on the narrowed outflow tract leading to decreased cardiac output is central to understanding the implications and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.