A patient has a positive Chvostek sign. The nurse interprets this as a sign of:

Choice A reason: Abnormally dilated arteries and veins, also known as aneurysms and varicose veins respectively, can occur due to various conditions. However, they are not the primary cause of stable angina and atherosclerosis. Aneurysms involve an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel, while varicose veins refer to enlarged, twisted veins commonly found in the legs. These conditions do not directly cause the chronic narrowing of arteries that characterize atherosclerosis and lead to stable angina.

Choice B reason: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Although DVT is a serious medical condition that can lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism if the clot travels to the lungs, it is not related to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis or stable angina. DVT involves venous circulation, whereas atherosclerosis and angina involve the arterial system, specifically the coronary arteries.

Choice C reason: Abnormal thickening and hardening of blood vessel walls, also known as atherosclerosis, is the primary cause of stable angina. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the buildup of plaque within the arterial walls, leading to their hardening and narrowing. This process reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, causing ischemia, which presents as chest pain, known as angina. Stable angina is a symptom of this chronic condition, which can lead to more severe cardiovascular events if left untreated.

Choice D reason: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction involves abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. While autonomic dysfunction can contribute to various cardiovascular issues and symptoms such as irregular heartbeats or blood pressure changes, it is not the underlying cause of atherosclerosis or stable angina. Atherosclerosis is primarily a disease of the arterial walls, while autonomic dysfunction pertains to the regulation of bodily systems.

Choice A reason: Hypercalcemia refers to high levels of calcium in the blood, but a positive Chvostek sign is not indicative of hypercalcemia. In fact, hypercalcemia generally results in symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and nausea rather than the specific neuromuscular irritability seen with a positive Chvostek sign.

Choice B reason: Hypocalcemia refers to low levels of calcium in the blood and is associated with a positive Chvostek sign. The Chvostek sign is a clinical test where tapping on the facial nerve triggers twitching of the facial muscles. This occurs due to increased neuromuscular excitability caused by low calcium levels.

Choice C reason: Hypophosphatemia refers to low levels of phosphate in the blood. It is not directly associated with a positive Chvostek sign. While electrolyte imbalances can affect neuromuscular function, hypocalcemia is specifically linked to the Chvostek sign.

Choice D reason: Hypermagnesemia refers to high levels of magnesium in the blood and is not related to a positive Chvostek sign. Hypermagnesemia often causes symptoms such as muscle weakness, nausea, and hypotension rather than the neuromuscular irritability seen with a positive Chvostek sign.