A nursing student learns about modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease. Which factors does this include? Select all that apply.

Choice A reason: Explaining ways to decrease paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is helpful for managing this specific symptom of heart failure, which involves difficulty breathing at night due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. While this can improve comfort, it doesn't provide a comprehensive approach to managing heart failure symptoms at home.

Choice B reason: Discussing the effects of medications, ways to assess fluid balance, and positions for enhancing respirations offers a comprehensive approach to managing heart failure symptoms at home. Understanding medication effects helps clients adhere to their treatment plan and manage side effects. Assessing fluid balance is crucial for detecting fluid overload early, a common issue in heart failure. Learning positions that enhance respirations can improve breathing and overall comfort.

Choice C reason: Teaching stress management techniques is beneficial for overall well-being and can indirectly improve heart health by reducing stress, which can exacerbate heart failure symptoms. However, it is not as directly related to managing the physical symptoms of heart failure as other interventions.

Choice D reason: Providing a list of support systems in the community is valuable for emotional and practical support, which can improve quality of life for clients with heart failure. However, it does not directly address the physical symptoms or management of heart failure at home.

Choice A reason: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a procedure used to open narrowed coronary arteries, usually with a balloon or stent. It is not a diagnostic test for assessing heart valves but rather a treatment for coronary artery disease.

Choice B reason: Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the heart's structures, including the heart valves. It allows for the assessment of valve function, structure, and blood flow, making it an essential tool for diagnosing valvular heart disease.

Choice C reason: Exercise testing, also known as a stress test, evaluates the heart's response to physical activity. While it can provide information on how well the heart handles increased workload and detect issues like ischemia, it is not specifically used for assessing heart valves.

Choice D reason: Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) records the electrical activity of the heart and is used to detect arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions. However, it does not provide detailed information about the heart valves' structure or function.