Patho
What is arteriosclerosis?
Answer: The hardening and thickening of artery walls, reducing elasticity leading to ischemia.
Rationale: Arteriosclerosis is a broad term describing arterial stiffening and thickening due to aging and hypertension, which reduces the arteries’ ability to expand and contract.
What diet modifications should a client make to decrease risk of arteriosclerosis?
Answer: Diet: Low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber, high omega-3 fatty acids, increased antioxidants.
Rationale: Fiber helps to lower LDL and supports overall heart health. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and some plant sources, reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels. Antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, help reduce oxidative stress and prevent damage to blood vessels, decreasing the risk of arteriosclerosis. Fats and cholesterol contribute to arterial plaque buildup and increases LDL levels.
A patient reports leg pain when walking that improves with rest. What condition does this indicate?
Answer: Peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Rationale: PAD results from atherosclerosis in the legs, causing intermittent claudication due to reduced blood flow.
What life-threatening event occurs if an atherosclerotic plaque ruptures in the heart?
Answer: Myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Rationale: Plaque rupture can cause complete coronary artery blockage, leading to ischemic heart tissue death.
What type of medication is commonly prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol?
Answer: Statins (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin).
Rationale: Statins reduce cholesterol production and help stabilize plaques.
What is the primary cause of atherosclerosis?
Answer: Plaque buildup (cholesterol, fats, and calcium) inside the arteries resulting in narrowing and hardening of the arterial walls, resulting in ischemia.
Rationale: Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis where fatty deposits accumulate, narrowing arteries and increasing the risk of blockages.
Name one non-modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Answer: Age, gender, family history, genetic predisposition.
Rationale: Non-modifiable risk factors are ones a person cannot change, but awareness allows for early prevention strategies.
What symptom might indicate atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries?
Answer: Angina (chest pain).
Rationale: Coronary artery atherosclerosis reduces oxygen supply to the heart muscle, causing chest pain or discomfort.
If atherosclerosis affects the carotid arteries, what major complication can occur?
Answer: Stroke.
Rationale: Carotid plaque can reduce blood flow to the brain, causing ischemic stroke.
What lifestyle change is most effective in preventing atherosclerosis progression?
Answer: Smoking cessation.
Rationale: Smoking damages blood vessels, accelerating plaque buildup.
What type of blood vessels are affected by arteriosclerosis?
Answer: Arteries.
Rationale: Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart. Arteriosclerosis does not affect veins because veins have thinner walls and lower pressure.
Why does smoking increase the risk of atherosclerosis?
Answer: It damages the endothelium, promotes inflammation, and raises LDL cholesterol.
Rationale: Smoking releases toxic chemicals that injure blood vessels, leading to increased plaque buildup.
What is the most common early symptom of carotid artery atherosclerosis?
Answer: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke.
Rationale: Carotid plaque can restrict blood flow or dislodge, leading to temporary stroke-like symptoms.
What is the term for a weakened artery that may rupture due to high blood pressure?
Answer: Aneurysm.
Rationale: Chronic hypertension and arteriosclerosis weaken arterial walls, increasing rupture risk.
What procedure involves inflating a small balloon inside an artery to restore blood flow?
Answer: Angioplasty.
Rationale: A stent may also be placed to keep the artery open.
Which layer of the artery does atherosclerosis primarily affect?
Answer: The intima (inner lining) of the artery.
Rationale: Atherosclerotic plaques develop in the intimal layer, leading to inflammation and narrowing of the artery.
Which type of cholesterol is considered "bad" and contributes to plaque buildup?
Answer: Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL).
Rationale: LDL deposits cholesterol into arterial walls, while High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) removes cholesterol from the bloodstream.
What is the primary danger of an unstable atherosclerotic plaque?
Answer: It can rupture, leading to a blood clot (thrombosis) and potential heart attack or stroke.
Rationale: Ruptured plaques trigger clot formation, blocking critical arteries.
What condition results when reduced circulation to the legs causes non-healing wounds and gangrene?
Answer: Critical limb ischemia.
Rationale: Severe PAD can lead to necrotic tissue, requiring possible amputation.
Name one surgical intervention used to treat severe arterial blockages.
Answer: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or endarterectomy.
Rationale: These procedures bypass or remove plaques to restore circulation.
What is the term for the process in which white blood cells try to "clean up" cholesterol but contribute to plaque formation instead?
Answer: Inflammatory response leading to foam cell formation.
Rationale: Macrophages engulf LDL cholesterol but turn into foam cells, worsening plaque buildup and leading to chronic inflammation.
How does diabetes contribute to atherosclerosis?
Answer: High blood sugar damages blood vessels and promotes plaque formation.
Rationale: Chronic hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress and inflammation, accelerating atherosclerotic changes.
Why might a patient with renal artery atherosclerosis develop high blood pressure?
Answer: Reduced blood flow to the kidneys triggers the release of renin, increasing blood pressure.
Rationale: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) responds to decreased kidney perfusion by raising BP.
How does atherosclerosis contribute to chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Answer: Narrowed renal arteries reduce kidney function and increase blood pressure.
Rationale: Renal artery stenosis limits oxygen to kidney tissues, worsening CKD.
What dietary pattern is recommended for patients with atherosclerosis to reduce cardiovascular risk?
Answer: The Mediterranean diet or DASH diet reduces cardiovascular risk.
Rationale: These diets promote healthy fats, fiber, and reduced sodium, preventing plaque buildup.