A patient presents to the emergency room reporting chest pain. They state their chest pain occurs with activity and that it subsided after taking nitroglycerin. In addition, the patient states the pain lasted for 8 minutes. Based on the patient's signs and symptoms, what type of angina may the patient be experiencing?
Stable angina
Variant angina (Printmetal Angina)
Microvascular angina
Unstable angina
The Correct Answer is A
A. Stable angina: This type of angina typically occurs with physical activity or stress and is relieved by rest or the use of nitroglycerin. The patient's report of chest pain occurring with activity, subsiding after taking nitroglycerin, and lasting for 8 minutes aligns with the characteristics of stable angina, indicating that the heart is not receiving enough oxygen during increased demand.
B. Variant angina (Prinzmetal angina): This type of angina occurs due to coronary artery spasms and can happen at rest, often without any apparent trigger. It is usually relieved by rest or medication but is less likely to be activity-related, making it an unlikely diagnosis in this case.
C. Microvascular angina: This type of angina is associated with dysfunction of the small coronary arteries rather than blockages in the larger arteries. It may present differently and is often not directly linked to physical activity or relieved by nitroglycerin.
D. Unstable angina: Unstable angina is characterized by unexpected chest pain that occurs at rest, is more intense, and lasts longer than stable angina. It does not typically resolve quickly with nitroglycerin. Since the patient reports that the pain was activity-related and resolved after taking nitroglycerin, unstable angina is unlikely in this scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Stable angina: This type of angina typically occurs with physical activity or stress and is relieved by rest or the use of nitroglycerin. The patient's report of chest pain occurring with activity, subsiding after taking nitroglycerin, and lasting for 8 minutes aligns with the characteristics of stable angina, indicating that the heart is not receiving enough oxygen during increased demand.
B. Variant angina (Prinzmetal angina): This type of angina occurs due to coronary artery spasms and can happen at rest, often without any apparent trigger. It is usually relieved by rest or medication but is less likely to be activity-related, making it an unlikely diagnosis in this case.
C. Microvascular angina: This type of angina is associated with dysfunction of the small coronary arteries rather than blockages in the larger arteries. It may present differently and is often not directly linked to physical activity or relieved by nitroglycerin.
D. Unstable angina: Unstable angina is characterized by unexpected chest pain that occurs at rest, is more intense, and lasts longer than stable angina. It does not typically resolve quickly with nitroglycerin. Since the patient reports that the pain was activity-related and resolved after taking nitroglycerin, unstable angina is unlikely in this scenario.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Deep vein thrombosis: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically presents with swelling, pain, and tenderness in a specific area of the leg. It does not specifically cause pain that resolves with rest after walking, making it less likely in Mr. Jones's case.
B. Valvular regurgitation: Valvular regurgitation refers to the backward flow of blood due to improper closure of heart valves. This condition primarily affects cardiac function and is not associated with pain in the legs that resolves with rest, which does not correlate with Mr. Jones's symptoms.
C. Varicose veins: Varicose veins can cause discomfort, swelling, and aching in the legs but are not typically characterized by pain that is specifically triggered by walking and resolves with rest. The symptoms of varicose veins usually occur with prolonged standing or sitting rather than exertion.
D. Intermittent claudication: Intermittent claudication is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD), characterized by muscle pain or cramping in the legs during physical activity, such as walking, that resolves with rest. Mr. Jones's description of pain that occurs while walking and subsides upon stopping aligns with this condition, making it the most appropriate explanation for his symptoms.
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