Question

A 58-year-old teacher presents to your clinic with a complaint of breathlessness with activity. The patient has no chronic conditions and does not take any medications, herbs, or supplements. Which of the following symptoms is appropriate to ask about in the cardiovascular review of systems?

A) Abdominal pain
B) Orthopnea
C) Hematochezia
D) Tenesmus

Answer 1

Orthopnea is the symptom to ask about in the cardiovascular review of systems to a patient with a complaint of breathlessness with activity

Step-by-step explanation:

• Breathlessness with activity refers to dyspnea which is shortness of breath upon exertion.
• Orthopnea is breathlessness or shortness of breath in a lying position that is often relieved with standing or sitting up.
• Both dyspnea and orthopnea occur due to high pressure of the pulmonary blood vessels and leakage of fluids into lungs which leads to breathlessness or labored breathing.
• This happens mostly due to underlying heart failure or disease and is a typical symptom of congestive heart failure.
• Hence, the presence of orthopnea needs to be asked during a cardiovascular review of systems , when a patient is already having dyspnea.