A patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Which complications would the health care professional assess the patient for?
Left heart failure
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Right heart failure
The Correct Answer is D
A. Left heart failure: COPD primarily affects the lungs and increases pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to right-sided heart strain rather than left heart failure. Left heart failure is more commonly associated with conditions such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and valvular diseases, which impair the heart’s ability to pump blood systemically.
B. Restrictive cardiomyopathy: Restrictive cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart muscle becomes stiff and loses its ability to relax and fill properly, often due to infiltrative diseases such as amyloidosis or sarcoidosis. COPD does not directly lead to restrictive cardiomyopathy, as its primary cardiovascular complication is increased pulmonary resistance causing right heart strain.
C. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, usually due to genetic mutations. It primarily affects the left ventricle and impairs diastolic filling. COPD does not cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, as its cardiovascular effects are due to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular overload rather than structural abnormalities of the myocardium.
D. Right heart failure: Chronic COPD leads to persistent pulmonary hypertension due to hypoxic vasoconstriction and remodeling of pulmonary vessels. This increased pulmonary vascular resistance forces the right ventricle to work harder to pump blood into the lungs, leading to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventual right heart failure, also known as cor pulmonale. Symptoms include peripheral edema, jugular vein distention, and hepatomegaly due to systemic venous congestion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Prinzmetal or variant angina: Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is characterized by episodes of chest pain due to vasospasms of the coronary arteries. This type of angina can occur unpredictably, often at rest, and is associated with transient ischemia of the heart muscle.
B. Unstable angina: Unstable angina is characterized by sudden, unpredictable chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion and may last longer than stable angina. It indicates a significant risk of myocardial infarction but is not primarily caused by vasospasm.
C. Angina pectoris: Angina pectoris is a general term for chest pain due to ischemia, which can be stable or unstable. It does not specifically refer to the vasospasm that defines Prinzmetal angina.
D. Stable angina: Stable angina is characterized by predictable chest pain that occurs with exertion or stress and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. It is not associated with coronary artery vasospasms.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Controlling the blood pressure: Controlling blood pressure is crucial for reducing the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). Even with a normal lipid panel, hypertension can significantly contribute to cardiovascular risk, and managing blood pressure helps protect against the development of CAD.
B. Moderate alcohol use: While moderate alcohol consumption may have some potential benefits for heart health, it is not a primary risk factor reduction strategy. The focus should be on more impactful lifestyle changes, particularly for individuals with normal lipid levels.
C. Eating a low-fat diet: Although a balanced diet is important for overall health, a low-fat diet specifically is not necessary for everyone, especially those with normal lipid levels. The emphasis should be on a heart-healthy diet that includes healthy fats, such as those from fish, nuts, and olive oil, rather than simply reducing fat intake.
D. Avoiding air pollution: Avoiding air pollution can have health benefits, but it is not a primary strategy for individuals seeking to reduce the risk of CAD. Addressing more direct risk factors, such as blood pressure management, is more critical in this context.
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