A nurse is teaching a client who has dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) about this condition. Which of the following statements by the nurse should be included in the teaching?
"Your heart condition is caused by excessive stretching of the ventricles."
"Your heart condition is caused when the ventricular tissue becomes fibrous and fatty:'
"Your heart condition is caused from stiffening of the walls of the ventricles."
"Your heart condition is caused by thickening of the ventricular walls and septum."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Your heart condition is caused by excessive stretching of the ventricles": Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by the dilation or enlargement of the heart's chambers, particularly the ventricles. This dilation results in weakened myocardial contraction and impaired systolic function. The primary cause of DCM is often idiopathic (unknown), but it can also be secondary to various factors such as genetics, infections, toxins, or systemic diseases. The statement correctly identifies the pathophysiological basis of DCM as excessive stretching or dilation of the ventricles, leading to impaired cardiac function.
B. "Your heart condition is caused when the ventricular tissue becomes fibrous and fatty": This statement is incorrect. Fibrous and fatty changes in ventricular tissue are characteristic of another type of cardiomyopathy known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), not dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In DCM, the primary abnormality is dilation of the heart chambers rather than fibrous and fatty changes in the myocardium.
C. "Your heart condition is caused from stiffening of the walls of the ventricles": This statement describes restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), not dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the ventricular walls become stiff and rigid, impairing diastolic filling and ventricular relaxation. However, in DCM, the primary abnormality is dilation or enlargement of the ventricles rather than stiffening of the ventricular walls.
D. "Your heart condition is caused by thickening of the ventricular walls and septum": This statement describes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), not dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In HCM, there is abnormal thickening of the ventricular walls and septum, leading to reduced chamber size and impaired diastolic filling. However, in DCM, the primary abnormality is dilation or enlargement of the ventricles rather than thickening of the ventricular walls.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I can't eat as much as I used to": While changes in eating habits may be related to various factors, such as appetite changes or difficulty chewing/swallowing, this statement does not specifically indicate how hearing loss affects the client's ability to perform ADLs.
B. "I get dizzy when I nod my head": This statement suggests that the client is experiencing dizziness, which could be related to hearing loss affecting their sense of balance. Dizziness can significantly impact the client's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) safely, such as walking, cooking, or bathing, as it increases the risk of falls and injury.
C. "I wash my hair every other day": This statement describes a personal hygiene habit and does not directly indicate how hearing loss affects the client's ability to perform ADLs.
D. "I walk my dog at least twice a day": This statement describes an activity the client engages in and does not directly indicate how hearing loss affects the client's ability to perform ADLs. Walking a dog does not necessarily require hearing ability, as it primarily involves physical movement and visual observation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The client whose mother and uncle were diagnosed with this same condition: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often has a genetic component, with a familial predisposition observed in many cases. Individuals with a family history of HCM, especially in first-degree relatives such as parents or siblings, are at higher risk of developing the condition due to genetic factors.
B. The client who is recovering from a recent illness that caused vomiting and diarrhea: Acute illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and transient changes in cardiac function. While dehydration and electrolyte imbalances may exacerbate symptoms in individuals with existing cardiac conditions, they are not primary risk factors for developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
C. The client who is out of work and has been experiencing increased stress: Chronic stress and psychosocial factors may contribute to the progression of cardiovascular disease in general, but they are not specific risk factors for developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
D. The client who uses oxygen at night to treat obstructive sleep apnea: While obstructive sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular complications, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the use of oxygen therapy at night to treat sleep apnea does not directly increase the risk of developing HCM. However, untreated obstructive sleep apnea may lead to chronic hypoxia and other cardiac issues over time.
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