NSG 6420 Quiz 1
. Question : Which of the following is the most important question to ask during cardiovascular health history?
Student
... [Show More] Answer: Number of offspring
Last physical exam
Sudden death of a family member
Use of caffeine
Instructor Explanation: The sudden death of a family member is an important question to ask in the health history because it reveals the cardiovascular disease risk of the patient. Sudden death is usually due to an acute cardiovascular event, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac dysrhythmia, or stroke.
Family history is particularly important for cardiac assessment because CVD, HTN, hyperlipidemia, and other vascular diseases often have a familial association that is not easily ameliorated by lifestyle changes. If there are deaths in the family related to CVD, determine the age and exact cause of death, because CVD at a young age in the immediate family carries an increased risk compared with CVD in an elderly family member. Ask about sudden death, which might indicate a congenital disease such as Marfan's syndrome. This is especially important to ask during pre-sports physicals because sudden death in athletes is often related to congenital or familial heart disease. Familial hyperlipidemia is autosomal dominant and often leads to CAD and MI at a young age. Family history of obesity and type 2 diabetes are also secondary risk factors for heart disease because the familial tendency for these is strong. Ask about smoking in the house, as secondhand smoke is a risk factor for respiratory and cardiac disease. (Goolsby 167-168)
Goolsby, Mary J., Laurie Grubbs. Advanced Assessment Interpreting Findings and Formulating Differential Diagnoses, 3rd Edition. F.A. Davis Company, 11/2014. VitalBook file.
Points Received: 2 of 2
Comments:
Question 2. Question : A key symptom of ischemic heart disease is chest pain. However, angina equivalents may include exertional dyspnea. Angina equivalents are important because:
Student Answer: Women with ischemic heart disease many times do not present with chest pain
Some patients may have no symptoms or atypical symptoms; diagnosis may only be made at the time of an actual myocardial infarction
Elderly patients have the most severe symptoms
A & B only
Instructor Explanation: The key symptom of IHD is chest pain, but other common symptoms include arm pain, lower jaw pain, shortness of breath, and diaphoresis. These symptoms are referred to as angina equivalents and can also include fatigue or breathlessness. Some patients may have no symptoms or atypical ones so that CAD may not be diagnosed until they experience a myocardial infarction. (Kennedy-Malone 227)
Kennedy-Malone, Laurie, Kathleen Fletcher, Lori Martin-Plank. Advanced Practice Nursing in the Care of Older Adults. F.A. Davis Company, 2014-01-14. VitalBook file. [Show Less]