Atherosclerosis and Other Arterial Diseases Flashcards
Question 1 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Atherosclerosis:
Foam cell formation
Basic physiological change that results in cardiovascular disease
Associated with autoimmune process
Blood pressure differential between right and left arm
Uncommon disorder
C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels are used for assessment
Hyperlipidemia
Foam cell formation
Basic physiological change that results in cardiovascular disease
C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels are used for assessment
Hyperlipidemia
Atherosclerosis, a common disease, is form of arteriosclerosis in which the lumen of arterial wall becomes occluded with plaques. The plaques are formed from cholesterol and white blood cells forming foam cells. Although white blood cells are involved, formation of the plaques is not caused by an autoimmune response. Elevated C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker), homocysteine levels, and hyperlipemia are associated with atherosclerosis.
Question 2 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Aneurysm:
Fusiform and saccular shapes
Takayasu arteritis is an example
33% of patients die within first 24 hours
Abdominal aorta most commonly affected
Weak arterial wall resulting in bulging of the artery
Surgical repair required
Fusiform and saccular shapes
Abdominal aorta most commonly affected
Weak arterial wall resulting in bulging of the artery
An aneurysm is a bulge in an arterial wall. The most common location for an aneurysm is the abdominal aorta. An aneurysm may present in different forms including fusiform and saccular. Surgical repair is not always necessary with an aneurysm, and death does not occur at a high rate within the first 24 hours of development. Takayasu arteritis is a form of vasculitis and is not a type of aneurysm.
Question 3 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Aortic Dissection:
Foam cell formation
Sudden onset of symptoms including chest pain and tearing sound
Antigen excess deposited in arterial walls
Fusiform and saccular shapes
33% of patients die within first 24 hours
Surgical repair required
Blood pressure differential between right and left arm
Sudden onset of symptoms including chest pain and tearing sound
33% of patients die within first 24 hours
Surgical repair required
Blood pressure differential between right and left arm
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition in which a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall appears. Blood pours into the tear, separating (dissecting) the inner layer from the middle layer. If the tear ruptures, death may result. Almost one-third of patients with aortic dissection die within the first 24 hours. Surgical repair of the tear is needed. Signs and symptoms include a sudden onset of severe chest pain. Depending on the location of the dissection, blood flow to either arm may be compromised, resulting in a difference in pressure between the arms.
Question 4 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Vasculitis:
Takayasu arteritis is an example
Ankle-brachial index used for assessment
Classified based on vessel size affected
Sudden onset of symptoms including chest pain and tearing sound
Associated with autoimmune process
Immune complexes deposited in arterial walls
Basic physiological change that results in cardiovascular disease
Takayasu arteritis is an example
Classified based on vessel size affected
Associated with autoimmune process
Immune complexes deposited in arterial walls
Vasculitis is inflammation of the vessels and is classified according to the size of the vessels affected. The disease may be systemic or affect one area or tissue of the body. Several forms of vasculitis exist, and an autoimmune component, with immune complexes deposited in the arterial walls, has been found to play a role. Signs and symptoms of vasculitis vary, depending on the tissues involved. Takayasu arteritis is one example of vasculitis; it affects the aorta and pulmonary arteries.
Question 5 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD):
Ankle-brachial index used for assessment
C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels used for assessment
Weak arterial wall resulting in bulging of the artery
33% of patients die within first 24 hours
Intermittent claudication
Decreased peripheral pulses
Presents with ripping or tearing sound
Ankle-brachial index used for assessment
Intermittent claudication
Decreased peripheral pulses
Peripheral artery disease results in decreased blood flow to the extremities. Most commonly, the arteries of the legs are affected. Depending on the extent of the blockage, peripheral pulses may be diminished in one limb compared with the other. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) compares the blood pressure in the ankles with the blood pressure in the arms and may be reduced with peripheral arterial disease in the lower extremities. When blood flow through the narrowed arteries cannot match the metabolic demands of the tissues, intermittent claudication results.
Question 6 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Raynaud’s phenomenon:
Affects coronary arteries of children most commonly
Warmth and flushing of the extremities occur
Commonly associated with autoimmune diseases
Calcium channel blockers may be effective treatment
Exaggerated sympathetic response causes vessel constriction
Symptoms relieved with the stopping of exercise
Commonly associated with autoimmune diseases
Calcium channel blockers may be effective treatment
Exaggerated sympathetic response causes vessel constriction
Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs with an exaggerated sympathetic response causing vasoconstriction resulting in numbness, coolness, and tingling of the extremities. Raynaud’s phenomenon is associated with certain autoimmune conditions, such as lupus. Calcium channel blockers can be an effective treatment. Kawasaki’s disease, not Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a disease that affects the coronary arteries of children.
Question 7 of 7
Can you differentiate the various arterial disorders? For each disorder, drag and drop the statements that apply to the disorder to the box.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:
One of the primary types of vasculitis
Immediate surgical intervention needed on detection
May be detected as a bulge in the abdominal aorta
Most common type of aneurysm
Referred to as a “berry aneurysm”
May rupture, leading to internal bleeding
May be detected as a bulge in the abdominal aorta
Most common type of aneurysm
May rupture, leading to internal bleeding
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the most common type of aneurysm and may present as a bulge along the abdominal aorta. On detection, monitoring over time for changes is the most common course of action. If an abdominal aortic aneurysm were to rupture, internal bleeding will result. A “berry aneurysm” refers to a cerebral aneurysm.
Question 1 of 5
What basic physiological change underlies most cardiovascular diseases?
Hypertension
Arterial dilatation
Atherosclerosis
Elevated pulse pressure
Atherosclerosis
Question 2 of 5
A patient has Raynaud’s phenomenon. What area of the body does the clinician expect to be affected?
Aorta
Abdomen
Lungs
Hands
Hands
Question 3 of 5
An outpatient in the clinic complains of leg pain while walking. However, the patient adds that the pain ceases when he is at rest. Which condition would the nurse suspect?
Peripheral arterial disease
Aortic dissection
Calcium deficiency
Pulmonary embolism
Peripheral arterial disease
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following conditions refers to a weakened, bulging arterial wall?
Thrombus
Aneurysm
Bruit
Aortic dissection
Aneurysm
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following is an immediate, life-threatening condition?
Aortic dissection
Arterial dilation
Atherosclerosis
Peripheral artery disease
Aortic dissection
