Concepts of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders Example Solutions

Which cholesterol is considered the “good” cholesterol, and what does it do? When the body has excessive LDL cholesterol, the LDL cholesterol builds up on the walls of blood vessels, forming plaque. The vascular lumen narrows and might obstruct when plaque accumulates over time. This constriction prevents blood flow to and from the coronary artery, as well as to and from the heart and other organs. When blood flow to the heart is obstructed, it can result in angina which is chest pain or a heart attack. Cholesterol circulates in the blood on proteins known as lipoprotein. Two forms of lipoproteins transport cholesterol throughout the body: LDL and HDL. LDL (low-density lipoprotein), often known as bad cholesterol, accounts for the majority of the body’s cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease and stroke (CDC, 2020). HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the beneficial cholesterol that absorbs and transports cholesterol back to the liver. It is subsequently eliminated from the body through the liver (CDC, 2020). High HDL cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. An LDL cholesterol level of 130–159 mg/dl is borderline high, while a level of 160–189 mg/dl is considered high. A result of at least 190 mg/dl is considered extremely high. If the patient has an LDL of 166, this is considered high (Zafari, 2021). Nitroglycerin is still used to treat angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Nitroglycerin works by producing nitric oxide, which induces vasodilation and increases blood flow to the myocardium (Zafari, 2021). Dieting and exercises are also major contributors to lowering LDL. How does inflammation contribute to the development of atherosclerosis? Low levels of inflammation over time irritate the blood vessels. Inflammation can encourage plaque formation and release of plaque in the arteries and generate blood clots, which are the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes (Hopkinsmedicine, 2021). Inflammation is important in all stages of atherosclerosis. Stable plaques have a persistent inflammatory infiltration, whereas susceptible and ruptured plaques have an active inflammation that causes the fibrous cap to weaken, predisposing the plaque to rupture. The presence of several types of susceptible plaques implies that atherosclerosis is a widespread inflammatory process (Hopkinsmedicine, 2021). Morphologic and molecular indicators can distinguish between stable and fragile plaques, allowing individuals at high risk for acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events to be stratified before clinical symptoms arise. Because of the result of a pleural friction rub, what does the APRN recognize? A pleural friction rub is characterized by a raspy breathing sound produced by inflammation of the tissues around your lungs. When these two layers of pleural membranes become irritated or lose their lubrication, the patient feels discomfort and a pleural friction rub. A pleural friction rub might signify a more serious lung problem (Squires, 2022). The APRN detects a scraping, scratchy sound after breathing and the start of exhaling. It originates in the region right above the pleural irritation. An APRN may be able to detect a pleural effusion based on a reduction in breath sounds and a change in their quality (Squires, 2022).