A 78-year-old male patient has undergone a total knee ...

[casperchen82]

A 78-year-old male patient has undergone a total knee replacement. He just does not feel like getting out of bed and moving around.
 
  After 3 days of staying in bed, the physical therapist encourages him to get out of bed to the chair for meals. He starts to complain of dizziness and light-headedness. These symptoms are primarily caused by which of the following pathophysiological principles? Select all that apply. The patient('s)
  A)
  is experiencing a reduction in plasma volume.
  B)
  peripheral vasoconstriction mechanism has failed.
  C)
  is so stressed that he is releasing too many endorphins.
  D)
  is still bleeding from the surgical procedure.
  E)
  has lost all of his muscle tone.

Question 2

A 44-year-old female who is on her feet for the duration of her entire work week has developed varicose veins in her legs.
 
  What teaching point would her care provider be most justified in emphasizing to the woman?
  A)
  Once you have varicose veins, there's little that can be done to reverse them.
  B)
  Your varicose veins are likely a consequence of an existing cardiac problem.
  C)
  If you're able to stay off your feet and wear tight stockings, normal vein tone can be reestablished.
  D)
  The use of blood thinner medications will likely relieve the backflow that is causing your varicose veins.

[eliasc0401]

Answer to Question 1

Ans:
A, B

Feedback:

Prolonged bed rest promotes a reduction in plasma volume, a decrease in venous tone, failure of peripheral vasoconstriction, and weakness of the skeletal muscles that support the veins and assist in returning blood to the heart. Endorphins make one feel better in mood. Three days post-op, there should be no further bleeding from the surgical site. If there is, then this is a complication that must be addressed immediately. Loss of vascular and skeletal muscle tone is less predictable but probably becomes maximal after 2 weeks.

Answer to Question 2

Ans:
A

Feedback:

Treatment of varicose veins focuses on prevention and slowing of the progression of the problem; it is not normally possible to reverse existing varicose veins. Staying off one's feet and wearing antiembolic stockings may prevent, but not reverse, the condition. While cardiac problems may coexist with varicose veins, this does not necessarily account for the woman's condition. Blood thinners will not resolve her varicose veins.

[casperchen82]

Thank you

[eliasc0401]

Happy to help you