Which statement about aortic regurgitation in a pediatric client is true?

Aortic regurgitation is a condition where the aortic valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to flow back into the left ventricle from the aorta during diastole. When considering the statement regarding increased preload in the left ventricle, it is important to understand the hemodynamics involved.

In aortic regurgitation, the backflow of blood into the left ventricle increases the volume of blood within the ventricle during diastole. This increased volume leads to an increase in preload, which is the amount of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole prior to contraction. Higher preload can initially lead to a stronger contraction due to the Frank-Starling mechanism, where increased venous return results in a more forceful cardiac output. However, over time, the sustained increase in volume can lead to ventricular dilation and may cause heart failure if not managed.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the complexities of aortic regurgitation. While a systolic murmur is indeed characteristic of this condition, it does not encompass the primary hemodynamic consequences. Similarly, the assertion that cardiac output is decreased typically oversimplifies the scenario, as although chronic regurgitation can ultimately reduce effective cardiac