Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
After surgical valve replacement (tissue or mechanical) or TAVR, nurses monitor rhythm (heart block risk), bleeding, temp, pain, lung fields, and anticoagulation plans. Mechanical valves require lifelong warfarin in classic teaching; DOACs appear in guideline-evolving stems — follow the item’s framing. Connect Valve Replacement: Postoperative Nursing Care to bedside cues you will reassess first: vitals trends, work of breathing, perfusion, mentation, and pain or ischemic equivalents when relevant. Boards reward recognizing when subtle instability outweighs reassurance, then selecting nursing actions that protect airway, circulation, and neurologic status before routine tasks.