A 51-year-old male presents with recurrent chest pain on exertion. He is diagnosed with angina pectoris. When he asks what causes the pain, how should the nurse respond? The pain occurs when
Cardiac output has fallen below normal levels.
The vagus nerve is stimulated.
Myocardial stretch has exceeded the upper limits.
The myocardial oxygen supply has fallen below demand.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Cardiac output has not fallen below normal levels. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is affected by the heart rate and the stroke volume. Angina pectoris does not directly affect the cardiac output, but it can reduce the stroke volume due to impaired ventricular filling.
Choice B reason: The vagus nerve is not stimulated. The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that innervates the heart and other organs. It is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows down the heart rate and lowers the blood pressure. Angina pectoris does not activate the vagus nerve, but it can trigger the sympathetic nervous system, which increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
Choice C reason: Myocardial stretch has not exceeded the upper limits. Myocardial stretch is the degree of tension or load on the cardiac muscle fibers. It is determined by the end-diastolic volume, which is the amount of blood in the ventricle at the end of relaxation. Angina pectoris does not cause excessive myocardial stretch, but it can impair the myocardial contractility due to ischemia.
Choice D reason: The myocardial oxygen supply has fallen below demand. This is the main cause of angina pectoris. It occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, are narrowed or blocked by atherosclerosis or spasm. This creates an imbalance between the oxygen demand of the heart, which increases during exertion, and the oxygen supply, which is reduced by the obstruction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not a sign of left-sided heart failure. Jugular vein distension is a sign of right-sided heart failure, which occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the lungs.
Choice B reason: This is not a sign of left-sided heart failure. Increased blood pressure is a risk factor for developing heart failure, but it does not indicate the severity or location of the heart failure.
Choice C reason: This is not a sign of left-sided heart failure. Hepatomegaly is a sign of right-sided heart failure, which occurs when the right ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the systemic circulation.
Choice D reason: This is a sign of left-sided heart failure. Decreased urine output is a result of reduced renal perfusion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to pump blood effectively to the aorta and the rest of the body.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Lipid-laden mast cells are not foam cells. Mast cells are immune cells that release histamine and other inflammatory mediators. They do not accumulate lipids or have a soap-like texture.
Choice B reason: Macrophages that engulf low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are foam cells. They are part of the atherosclerotic process that leads to plaque formation in the blood vessels. They are called foam cells because they have a foamy appearance under the microscope.
Choice C reason: Injured neutrophil clots are not foam cells. Neutrophils are immune cells that fight infection and form pus. They do not engulf LDLs or contribute to atherosclerosis.
Choice D reason: Deposited adipose cells are not foam cells. Adipose cells are fat cells that store energy and secrete hormones. They do not phagocytose LDLs or form plaques in the blood vessels.
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