Author Question: Which statement is accurate regarding the physiological changes associated with heart failure? 1. ... (Read 39 times)

jazziefee · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Which statement is accurate regarding the physiological changes associated with heart failure?

1. Blood backs up into the lungs due to right ventricular hypertrophy.
2. The walls of the heart shrink, leading to lower cardiac output.
3. Cardiac remodeling occurs after prolonged ventricular hypertrophy.
4. Blood pressure increases, resulting in lowered afterload.

Question 2

Which individual listed below would be at the greatest risk for developing heart disease?

1. 35-year-old with diabetes mellitus and prehypertension
2. 75-year-old with Parkinson's disease and normal blood pressure
3. 52-year-old with osteoporosis and stage 1 hypertension
4. 68-year-old with stage 2 hypertension and recent myocardial infarction

TINA · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Heart walls thicken and enlarge with heart failure. These changes occur over time, and are referred to as cardiac remodeling. Blood can back up into the lungs, but this would be a result of left ventricular hypertrophy, not right. Blood pressure can go up, but would result in a higher, not lower, afterload.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Cardiac tissue weakens as people age, and can be caused or accelerated by chronic hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and other cardiac-related diseases. The 68-year-old patient has the most risk factors for developing heart failure. (p. 325)