Author Question: The patient has serum cholesterol levels of the following: Low density lipoprotein (LDL) = ... (Read 54 times)

j.rubin · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The patient has serum cholesterol levels of the following:

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) = 105mg/dl
High density lipoprotein (HDL) = 37mg/dl
Low density lipoprotein (LDL)/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio = 4.1
In planning care with this patient, what is the best outcome?
1. The patient will maintain normal lipid levels without the use of medications.
2. The nurse will educate the patient about diet and exercise.
3. The nurse will validate that the patient understands the importance of lifestyle changes.
4. The patient will achieve normal lipid levels through compliance with medications.

Question 2

The patient tells the nurse she is confused about what she has been reading about lipids. What is (are) the best response(s) by the nurse?

1. Phospholipids will help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
2. Phospholipids are essential to building plasma membranes.
3. Cholesterol is a building block for estrogen and testosterone.
4. Triglycerides are the major form of fat in the body.
5. Cholesterol in the diet is unnecessary as the liver synthesizes it.

Kedrick2014 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: The patient has borderline laboratory levels; patients with borderline laboratory values can control their dyslipidemia entirely through nonpharmacological means. To the extent possible, maintaining normal lipid values without pharmacotherapy should be a therapeutic goal as all medications have side effects. The nurse educating the patient about diet and exercise is a nursing intervention, not a patient outcome. The best outcome with borderline serum lipids is to maintain normal levels without the use of medications. The nurse validating that the patient understands the importance of lifestyle changes is a nursing intervention, not a patient outcome.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2,3,4,5
Rationale: Triglycerides are the major form of fat in the body, phospholipids are essential to building plasma membranes, cholesterol is a building block for estrogen and testosterone, and cholesterol is not needed in the diet as the liver synthesizes adequate amounts from other chemicals. There is no evidence to support that phospholipids will prevent Alzheimer's disease.