A 51-year-old male has come to the health clinic for his annual physical exam. After exerting himself by walking from his car to the clinic, he experienced substernal pain, discomfort in his left shoulder, and his jaw.
These symptoms lasted for 2-3 minutes and then subsided with rest.
He mentions that this has been a frequent occurrence over the past few months with similar levels of exertion.
What is the nurse likely to suspect he is experiencing?
Stable angina.
Prinzmetal angina.
Myocardial infarction (MI).
Unstable angina.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Stable angina typically occurs with exertion and goes away with rest. The symptoms described, including substernal pain, discomfort in the left shoulder and jaw, which subside with rest, are characteristic of stable angina.
Choice B rationale
Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is a type of angina (chest pain) caused by spasms in the coronary arteries. These spasms occur most often in coronary arteries that have not become hardened due to plaque buildup. However, they can also occur in hardened arteries. The symptoms can be similar to those of stable angina, but the typical triggers for the episodes are different.
Choice C rationale
A myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked, often by a blood clot, causing part of the heart muscle to be damaged or die. The symptoms are usually more severe than what is described and do not typically subside with rest.
Choice D rationale
Unstable angina is a condition in which the angina symptoms become more severe, occur more frequently, or occur at rest. This is a medical emergency as it can often lead to a heart attack.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Advocating for a diet rich in saturated fats is not a recommended strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease. Saturated fats can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood and increase your risk of heart disease.
Choice B rationale
Recommending cessation of smoking is a crucial intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease. Chemicals in tobacco can damage the heart and blood vessels, leading to narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can ultimately lead to a heart attack.
Choice C rationale
Regular blood pressure monitoring is important as high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Controlling blood pressure helps ensure that your heart is not working harder than it should be, which can prevent damage to your heart and arteries.
Choice D rationale
Regular cholesterol screenings are essential because high levels of cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaques in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease.
Choice E rationale
Regular physical exercise helps control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Choice F rationale
Suggesting no more than 5 alcoholic drinks a day is not a recommended strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease. In fact, it is advised to limit alcohol intake as excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, or even stroke.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
High-output heart failure is not typically associated with chronic pulmonary disease and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. High-output heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to meet the body’s increased demand for blood flow, which is not the case in this scenario.
Choice B rationale
Low-output heart failure is also not typically associated with chronic pulmonary disease and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Low-output heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, which is not the case in this scenario.
Choice C rationale
Left heart failure is not typically associated with chronic pulmonary disease and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Left heart failure occurs when the left side of the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body, which is not the case in this scenario.
Choice D rationale
Right heart failure is the correct answer. In the context of a 65-year-old male patient diagnosed with chronic pulmonary disease and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, the nurse should assess for right heart failure. This is because the right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs, and if the pulmonary vascular resistance is elevated, it can put strain on the right side of the heart, leading to right heart failure.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today