Atherosclerosis

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis

Answer 1

chest pain, pain in legs, fatigue, SOB, confusion, muscle weakness

Question 2

What are the causes of atherosclerosis?

Answer 2

hypotension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, inflammation

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis?

Answer 3

Irritant is present
damage to the endothelium occurs
LDL cholesterol deposits accumulate in
the artery wall known as fatty streaks
LDL oxidises, sends signals to the immune systems, monocyte arrive
monocytes convert into macrophages and consume cholesterol
macrophages fill up on cholesterol and die = foam cells
formation of foam cells = release of cytokines
smooth muscle cells migrate into the fatty plaque and form a lipid cap
smooth muscle cells also deposit calcium into the fatty plaque causing it to harden and bulging into the artery lumen
blood flow decreased, reduced resistance
ongoing inflammation = plaque rupture and thrombogenic material inside the
lipid cap is exposed = arriving platelets
a thrombus is formed and occludes the artery resulting in ischaemia or ultimately infarction

Question 4

What are some nursing interventions and rationale for atherosclerosis?

Answer 4

Administer atorvastatin as prescribed - to reduce
the amount of plaque in the arteries
Administer O2 as prescribed - to reduce the risk of hypoxia
Position upright to promote gas exchange and optimise lung. expansion