To decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients, which measure is recommended by health care professionals?
Increase LDL Cholesterol levels.
Increase HDL cholesterol levels.
Decrease LDL Cholesterol levels.
Decrease HDL cholesterol levels.
The Correct Answer is C
LDL cholesterol is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up on the walls of the blood vessels and cause health problems, such as heart disease and stroke. High levels of LDL cholesterol raise your risk for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, decreasing LDL cholesterol levels can lower your risk and improve your health.
Choice A is wrong because increasing LDL cholesterol levels would have the opposite effect of decreasing them. It would increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and plaque buildup in your arteries.
Choice B is wrong because increasing HDL cholesterol levels is not enough to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it can move LDL cholesterol from the blood to the liver, where it is broken down and removed from the body.
However, HDL cholesterol levels alone are not a good indicator of your cardiovascular health. You also need to consider your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Choice D is wrong because decreasing HDL cholesterol levels would also increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. HDL cholesterol helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels and protect your blood vessels from plaque buildup.
Therefore, decreasing HDL cholesterol levels would reduce this protective effect and make you more vulnerable to heart disease and stroke.
The ideal ranges for cholesterol levels are as follows:
• Total cholesterol: below 200 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL cholesterol: above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women
You can lower your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your HDL cholesterol levels by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress and taking medication if prescribed by your doctor.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
According to the International Society of Hypertension, lifestyle interventions are recommended for three to six months before medication in patients with grade 1 hypertension (BP < 160/100 mm Hg) and no comorbidities.Diet and exercise can lower BP by reducing weight, sodium intake, alcohol consumption, and stress levels.
Choice A is wrong because angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are not the first-line medication for hypertension in the general population.They are preferred in patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure.
Choice B is wrong because combination diuretics are not the initial recommendation for hypertension.They are used when monotherapy is not sufficient to achieve the target BP or when there is fluid retention.
Choice C is wrong because beta-adrenergic blocking agents are not the first-line medication for hypertension in the general population.They are preferred in patients with ischemic heart disease, heart failure, or arrhythmias.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Digoxin is a medication that can help the heart pump more blood and slow down the heart rate in certain conditions, such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation.However, digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range, which means that too much or too little of it can be harmful.The therapeutic range of digoxin levels in the blood is 0.5-2 ng/mL, and the toxic level is >2.4 ng/mL.Digoxin should be held if the resting apical pulse of an infant is <90 bpm, an older child is <70 bpm, or an adult is <60 bpm.A pulse of 48/min in an adult is too low and could indicate digoxin toxicity, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should withhold the dose and notify the health care provider immediately.
Choice B is wrong because notifying the health care provider and monitoring the patient’s vital signs are not enough.
The nurse should also withhold the dose to prevent further exposure to digoxin.
Choice C is wrong because rechecking the pulse, making sure to count for 1 full minute, is not necessary.The nurse should already have counted the pulse for 1 full minute before administering digoxin, as per standard procedure.
Choice D is wrong because administering the dose could worsen the patient’s condition and increase the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias.
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