Coronary Artery Disease
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A 50-year-old male patient with a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD)
presents with mild dyspnea on exertion and occasional chest pain. The patient eats
primarily red meat and vegetables, smokes cigars, and is physically inactive. What
recommendations from the nurse are appropriate in the management of this high-risk
patient?
Select all that apply.
Eat less red meat.
Have genetic testing done.
Start estrogen therapy.
Begin an exercise regimen.
Switch to chewing tobacco. - ansEat less red meat.
Begin an exercise regimen.
Dietary risk factors, such as eating red meat, are modifiable, and the nurse should
recommend a decrease in the amount of red meat the patient consumes. Consumption
of all foods high in saturated fat should be decreased. Physical activity is an important
modifiable risk factor that the nurse should recommend to a patient at high risk for CAD.
Although a family history of CAD increases the patient's risk of developing CAD, family
history (and genetics in general) is a nonmodifiable risk factor, and genetic testing
cannot change this. Although gender may be a risk factor for the development of CAD,
taking estrogen therapy is not associated with a decreased risk of disease.
Tobacco use is a risk factor for CAD, but switching from one form (cigar smoking) to
another (chewing tobacco) will not lower the patient's risk.
A patient at high risk for development of coronary artery disease (CAD) indicates that
the necessary lifestyle changes to decrease the risk for disease are too difficult. How
should the nurse respond to help the patient understand the importance of making
necessary changes?
Select all that apply.
"You may die if you do not make changes."
"You have to make the necessary changes."
"Are you aware of the major risk factors for CAD that you have?"
"What aspect of your current lifestyle is most important for you to maintain?"
