Marfan Syndrome
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Marfan Syndrome
Outline
Overview
- Autosomal Dominant Genetic disorder
- Causes abnormalities in connective tissue, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and integumentary system.
Nursing Points
General
- Defect in body’s production of fibrillin, a protein found in connective tissue
Assessment
- MSK
- Tall, thin body
- Disproportionately long arms, legs, fingers, and toes
- Chest deformities
- Joint hypermobility
- Scoliosis
- Positive wrist sign
- Cardiovascular system
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Aortic Enlargement
- Aortic aneurysm
- Vision problems
- Myopia
- Glaucoma
- Stretch marks (shoulders, hips, lower back)
Therapeutic Management
- No cure
- Monitor cardiovascular status closely
- May need surgery
- Valve replacements
- Prophylactic antibiotics should be taken prior to dental work or invasive procedures
- Medications
- Beta Blockers
- Reduce cardiac afterload to to reduce stress on aorta
- Beta Blockers
- May need surgery
- Monitor scoliosis
- Surgical intervention likely
Nursing Concepts
- Mobility
- Human Development
Patient Education
- Avoid sports that put a lot of stress on the heart and joints
- Long-distance running, football, scuba diving
- Preventative measures for endocarditis
- Physical or occupational therapy may be required
- Educational topics for scoliosis
[lesson-linker lesson=”221520″ background=”white”]
ADPIE Related Lessons
Related Nursing Process (ADPIE) Lessons for Marfan Syndrome
Transcript
Hey guys, In this lesson we are going to go over the basics about Marfan Syndrome.
Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes abnormalities in connective tissue. Essentially there is a mutation on something called the fibrillin gene. This gene plays a really important role in forming connective tissue. Without it patients have problems with their musculoskeletal system, their cardiac system the eyes, and skin.
I made this table so you can quickly look at the various symptoms. Probably the most noticeable symptom is a tall, thin body with very long arms, legs and fingers. A positive wrist sign, which you can see in the photo here demonstrates how long their limbs and fingers are. Chest deformities are common and their joints are hypermobile. They are also very prone to having severe scoliosis.
In the cardiac system the major issues are the valves and in the aorta. Mitral valve prolapse, aortic enlargement and aortic aneurysm. The problems with the aorta increase their risk for having an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the aorta that is often fatal.
Stretch marks are common on the skin and in the eyes the lens can be dislocated. Nearsightedness is common and so is glaucoma.
The top priority for management is to keep a very close eye on the child’s cardiac status. They may need a valve replacement and they need to be aware of signs of an aortic dissection (the most distinct symptom is sudden severe chest pain that feels like tearing or ripping).
To reduce the risk of damage to the aorta these patients are often prescribed a beta blocker. This helps by reducing cardiac after load so there is less pressure on the aorta.
Another important part of their management is to treat the scoliosis. Again, they usually have severe scoliosis so surgery is usually needed.
Most people with Marfan Syndrome can life a full life with a normal life expectancy so long as their cardiac function is very carefully monitored and efforts are put in place to minimize stress on the aorta. One big part of this prevention is making sure that these kids avoid activities that will strain their heart and joints.
Your priority nursing concepts for a patient with Marfan Syndrome are mobility and human development.
Okay, lets to over your key points for this lesson. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue. It primarily causes problems with the musculoskeletal system, cardiac system, eyes and skin.
For the cardiac system it can cause mitral valve prolapse and there’s an increased risk for aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. Beta blockers are commonly prescribed to reduce stress on the aorta.
They will likely need surgical treatment for scoliosis.
Patient education is super important so they know to avoid activities that will put stress on the heart and joints.
That’s it for our lesson on Marfan Syndrome. Make sure you check out all the resources attached to this lesson. Now, go out and be your best self today. Happy Nursing!
Rina’s NCLEX Study Plan 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Endocrine System
- Studying
- Urinary System
- Tissues and Glands
- Nervous System
- Circulatory System
- Medication Administration
- Hematologic System
- Skeletal System
- Digestive System
- Respiratory System
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Reproductive System
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Basics of Human Biology
- Muscular System
- Sensory System
- Communication
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Basics of NCLEX
- Prenatal Concepts
- Prioritization
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Documentation and Communication
- Delegation
- Community Health Overview
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Concepts of Mental Health
- Test Taking Strategies
- Note Taking
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Behavior
- Concepts of Population Health
- Concepts of Pharmacology
- Health & Stress
- Labor and Delivery
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Microbiology
- Depressive Disorders
- Postpartum Care
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient
- Emotions and Motivation
- Growth & Development
- Intelligence and Language
- Psychological Disorders
- State of Consciousness
- Respiratory Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Hematologic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Oncologic Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Cognitive Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Trauma-Stress Disorders
- Bipolar Disorders
- Developmental Considerations
- Psychological Emergencies
- Somatoform Disorders
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Preoperative Nursing
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Lower GI Disorders
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Cardiac Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Postoperative Nursing
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Urinary Disorders
- Neurological Emergencies
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Renal Disorders
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- EENT Disorders
- Shock
- Cardiovascular
- Shock
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Endocrine
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Gastrointestinal
- Upper GI Disorders
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Neurological
- Respiratory
- Hematologic Disorders
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Immunological Disorders
- Oncology Disorders
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Vascular Disorders
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Newborn Complications
- Disorders of Thermoregulation
- Neurological Trauma
- Integumentary Important Points
- Multisystem
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Emergency Care of the Respiratory Patient
- Prefixes
- Suffixes
- Fetal Development
- Terminology
- Proteins
- Statistics
- Med Term Basic
- Med Term Whole
- Basics of Mathematics
- Basics of Sociology
- Pregnancy Risks
- Labor Complications
- Newborn Care
- Postpartum Complications
- Understanding Society
- Adult
- Dosage Calculations
- Adulthood Growth and Development
- Learning Pharmacology