Which statement best describes stenotic versus incompetent heart valves?

Which statement best describes stenotic versus incompetent heart valves?

• A. Both stenotic and incompetent valves leak backward.
• B. Stenotic valves narrow and harden; incompetent valves cannot close fully, allowing backflow.
• C. Stenotic valves leak; incompetent valves narrow.
• D. Both types function identically.

Answer: (B)

Stenosis and incompetence describe how a valve handles opening and closing. Stenosis narrows the valve opening and often makes the leaflets stiffer, so forward blood flow is restricted and the heart must work harder to push blood through. Incompetence, or regurgitation, happens when the valve doesn’t close fully, allowing blood to leak backward and causing a volume overload in the chamber receiving the blood. The statement that best describes this is that stenotic valves narrow and harden, while incompetent valves cannot close fully, allowing backflow. The other ideas either suggest both types leak backward, swap the problems, or say they function the same, which doesn’t reflect how stenosis and regurgitation actually affect flow.

Stenosis and incompetence describe how a valve handles opening and closing. Stenosis narrows the valve opening and often makes the leaflets stiffer, so forward blood flow is restricted and the heart must work harder to push blood through. Incompetence, or regurgitation, happens when the valve doesn’t close fully, allowing blood to leak backward and causing a volume overload in the chamber receiving the blood. The statement that best describes this is that stenotic valves narrow and harden, while incompetent valves cannot close fully, allowing backflow. The other ideas either suggest both types leak backward, swap the problems, or say they function the same, which doesn’t reflect how stenosis and regurgitation actually affect flow.