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 A
Explanation
Hypokalemia is a condition of low potassium levels in the blood, which can be caused by diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) that increase the excretion of potassium in the urine. Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate the function of nerves and muscles, including the heart.Low potassium levels can cause symptoms such as confusion, tremors, muscle cramps, and nausea, which are consistent with the patient’s presentation.
Choice B, renal failure, is wrong because furosemide is used to treat fluid retention and edema caused by kidney disease, not to cause it.Renal failure would also cause symptoms such as decreased urine output, swelling, fatigue, and shortness of breath, which are not mentioned in the question.
Choice C, hyperkalemia, is wrong because hyperkalemia is a condition of high potassium levels in the blood, which can be caused by kidney disease or certain medications that decrease the excretion of potassium in the urine.Hyperkalemia can cause symptoms such as weakness, irregular heartbeat, paralysis, and chest pain, which are different from the patient’s symptoms.
Choice D, heart failure, is wrong because furosemide is also used to treat fluid retention and edema caused by heart failure, not to cause it.Heart failure would also cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and rapid weight gain, which are not mentioned in the question.
Normal ranges for potassium levels in the blood are 3.5 to 5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) for adults and 3.4 to 4.7 mEq/L for children.
A level below 3.5 mEq/L is considered hypokalemic and a level above 5.0 mEq/L is considered hyperkalemic.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Thiazide diuretics are sulfa-containing drugs and can cause allergic reactions in patients who are sensitive to sulfa compounds.These reactions can include headaches, rash, hives, swelling of the mouth and lips, wheezing or trouble breathing, asthma attack, and anaphylaxis.
Choice A is wrong because iodine is not a component of thiazide diuretics and is not related to sulfa allergy.
Choice B is wrong because latex is not a component of thiazide diuretics and is not related to sulfa allergy.
Choice C is wrong because shellfish is not a component of thiazide diuretics and is not related to sulfa allergy.
Shellfish allergy is usually caused by a protein called tropomyosin, not by iodine or sulfa compounds.
Thiazide diuretics are drugs that inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and water in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, leading to increased urine output.They are used to treat hypertension, edema, heart failure, and some kidney diseases.Some examples of thiazide diuretics are hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, and indapamide.
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