Pathophysiology
What are the primary stages of atherosclerosis progression, from endothelial injury to complicated lesion?
A) Endothelial injury → Fibrotic plaque → Fatty streak → Complicated lesion
B) Fatty streak → Endothelial injury → Fibrotic plaque → Complicated lesion
C) Endothelial injury → Fatty streak → Fibrotic plaque → Complicated lesion
D) Fibrotic plaque → Endothelial injury → Fatty streak → Complicated lesion
Answer: C) Endothelial injury → Fatty streak → Fibrotic plaque → Complicated lesion
What is the primary cause of symptoms in a patient with atherosclerosis?
A) Increased blood flow to tissues
B) Obstruction of vessels leading to inadequate tissue perfusion
C) Increased blood pressure and heart rate
D) Hyperglycemia
B) Obstruction of vessels leading to inadequate tissue perfusion
Which of the following nursing interventions can help improve blood flow and promote collateral circulation in patients with arteriosclerosis?
A) Encouraging regular physical activity within the patient's capabilities
B) Restricting all physical activity to minimize strain on the heart
C) Providing cold compresses to reduce inflammation
D) Advising the patient to rest and avoid any movement
A) Encouraging regular physical activity within the patient's capabilities.
What is the primary goal in managing atherosclerosis once a lesion obstructs blood flow?
A) To stabilize plaques before they rupture
B) To restore adequate blood flow to the affected tissues
C) To prevent the formation of new plaques
D) To treat risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes
B) To restore adequate blood flow to the affected tissues
Which common risk factors contribute to endothelial injury in the development of atherosclerosis?
A) Smoking, hypertension, diabetes, high LDL, low HDL
B) Increased HDL, air pollution, infection, high LDL
C) Low LDL, diabetes, low HDL, high CRP
D) Smoking, obesity, high CRP, low LDL
A) Smoking, hypertension, diabetes, high LDL, low HDL
What may occur when atherosclerotic lesions cause partial vessel obstruction?
A) Permanent tissue infarction
B) Transient ischemic events, often triggered by exercise or stress
C) Decreased blood pressure and heart rate
D) Increased oxygen supply to tissues
B) Transient ischemic events, often triggered by exercise or stress
What is an important nursing intervention for promoting skin integrity in patients with compromised circulation?
A) Encouraging the use of tight, restrictive clothing to prevent skin breakdown
B) Performing regular skin assessments and promoting proper hygiene and moisturization
C) Limiting all repositioning to reduce the risk of discomfort
D) Applying large amounts of lotion without monitoring skin condition
B) Performing regular skin assessments and promoting proper hygiene and moisturization
Which diagnostic tools may be used to identify affected vessels in atherosclerosis?
A) Only electrocardiography
B) X-ray, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and angiography
C) Blood glucose and lipid measurements
D) MRI and blood pressure measurements
B) X-ray, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and angiography
How do nontraditional risk factors, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), influence the development of atherosclerosis?
A) They decrease the formation of fatty streaks.
B) They serve as markers for inflammation and thrombosis, contributing to plaque formation.
C) They increase HDL levels, reducing the risk of plaque formation.
D) They cause endothelial repair and prevent plaque buildup.
B) They serve as markers for inflammation and thrombosis, contributing to plaque formation.
What is the major consequence of atherosclerotic obstruction in the coronary arteries (CAD)?
A) Acute renal failure
B) Myocardial ischemia
C) Chronic headache
D) Peripheral edema
B) Myocardial ischemia
Which dietary change should a nurse emphasize to a patient with arteriosclerosis in order to optimize nutrition and promote heart health?
A) A balanced diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium
B) A high-fat diet to increase energy levels
C) A diet rich in red meat and processed foods
D) A vegetarian diet with no emphasis on sodium or fat content
A) A balanced diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium
What is the role of physical examination in evaluating atherosclerosis?
A) It primarily involves evaluating lung function.
B) It helps identify arterial bruits and signs of decreased blood flow to tissues.
C) It focuses on measuring heart rate and blood pressure only.
D) It is not useful for diagnosing atherosclerosis.
B) It helps identify arterial bruits and signs of decreased blood flow to tissues.
What role does the dysfunction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the elevation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) play in the progression of atherosclerosis?
A) High HDL and low LDL levels protect against atherosclerosis.
B) Elevated LDL and decreased HDL promote plaque buildup and endothelial damage.
C) Elevated HDL levels directly cause plaque formation, while LDL has no effect.
D) HDL and LDL levels do not influence atherosclerosis progression.
B) Elevated LDL and decreased HDL promote plaque buildup and endothelial damage.
How does atherosclerotic obstruction in the brain affect a patient?
A) It leads to stroke due to decreased blood supply to brain tissue.
B) It causes an increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
C) It results in spinal cord injury.
D) It decreases intracranial pressure and improves blood flow.
A) It leads to stroke due to decreased blood supply to brain tissue.
How can a nurse assist a patient in promoting self-health management and reducing modifiable risk factors?
A) By encouraging the patient to avoid exercise and focusing solely on medication management
B) By setting achievable goals for smoking cessation, exercise, and stress management
C) By recommending complete bed rest and avoiding stress management techniques
D) By advising the patient to focus only on medication adherence and not lifestyle changes
B) By setting achievable goals for smoking cessation, exercise, and stress management
Which of the following is a key component in the management of atherosclerosis when there is no immediate intervention required?
A) Implementing an exercise program and smoking cessation
B) Immediate surgical intervention
C) Focus solely on lipid-lowering medication
D) Restricting physical activity and bed rest
A) Implementing an exercise program and smoking cessation
How might air pollution be considered a nontraditional risk factor for atherosclerosis, and what are the potential consequences for cardiovascular health?
A) Air pollution is a direct cause of endothelial injury and inflammation, increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
B) Air pollution improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of plaque formation.
C) Air pollution only affects the respiratory system, with no impact on cardiovascular health.
D) Air pollution lowers blood pressure, which decreases the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
A) Air pollution is a direct cause of endothelial injury and inflammation, increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Why might a patient with atherosclerosis present with symptoms from multiple ischemic tissues at the same time?
A) Multiple vessels may be involved in the disease process, increasing the risk of ischemic events in different organs.
B) Atherosclerosis only affects one organ at a time.
C) The disease causes simultaneous blood flow to all affected tissues.
D) The ischemic tissues become desensitized and no longer cause symptoms.
A) Multiple vessels may be involved in the disease process, increasing the risk of ischemic events in different organs.
What intervention is essential for preventing falls in patients with arteriosclerosis?
A) Encouraging patients to walk without the use of assistive devices
B) Assessing the home environment for fall hazards and providing recommendations for modifications
C) Limiting all physical activity to avoid potential falls
D) Providing medications that sedate the patient to prevent movement
B) Assessing the home environment for fall hazards and providing recommendations for modifications
When a patient presents with acute ischemia (e.g., MI or stroke), how should interventions be tailored?
A) Interventions should be generalized to the entire vascular system.
B) Interventions should be specific to the diseased area, such as the heart or brain.
C) Interventions should focus on lipid-lowering agents only.
D) No interventions are required, as acute ischemia is self-limiting.
B) Interventions should be specific to the diseased area, such as the heart or brain.