Author Question: Upon inspecting the patient, you find jugular venous distension. This is a sign of: A. Left ... (Read 98 times)

tatyanajohnson · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Upon inspecting the patient, you find jugular venous distension. This is a sign of:

A. Left ventricular hypertrophy
B. Right ventricular failure
C. Hypertension
D. Valve disease

Question 2

A pulse rate of 56 beats per minute can be normal in:

A. Elderly patients
B. Newborns
C. Athletic individuals
D. Hypertensive patients

nhea · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
In right ventricular failure, hydrostatic pressure builds up back into the right atrium and superior as well as inferior vena cava. Venous congestion occurs throughout the body. A sign of venous congestion of the superior vena cava is jugular vein distension. Signs of right ventricular failure include jugular venous distension, ascites, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and ankle edema.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Athletic individuals commonly have a low pulse rate because their heart is well-conditioned and physiologically more efficient. A strong heart has physiologically enlarged muscle chambers which contract slowly and efficiently deliver an adequate blood volume to the body with each contraction. In an elderly or untrained individual, bradycardia is more concerning. Although normal aging includes a decrease in SA node and AV node conduction, thus increasing the likelihood of bradycardia, sinus node pathology and heart blocks should be suspected in the elderly. Newborns have a normal pulse rate of 120 beats per minute. If the patient has hypertension, this does not decrease the heart rate.