Question

The client is diagnosed with a small AAA. Which interventions should be included in the discharge teaching? Select all that apply.

a. Tell the client to exercise 3x a week for 30 min.
b. Encourage the client to eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
c. Instruct the client to decrease tobacco use.
d. Discuss the importance of losing weight with the client.
e. Teach the client to wear a truss at all times.

Answer 1

For a client with a small AAA, discharge instructions should focus on lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, quitting tobacco use, and managing weight. These steps can reduce the risk of aneurysm enlargement and improve cardiovascular health.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is diagnosed with a small abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), certain lifestyle modifications can help manage the condition and reduce the risk of complications. The following interventions should be included in the discharge teaching:

• Encourage regular exercise: Recommend that the client exercises at least three times a week for 30 minutes to promote cardiovascular health and help prevent atherosclerosis.
• Low-fat, low-cholesterol diet: Advise the client to consume a balanced diet high in fiber and low in fats and cholesterol, aiding in the control of blood lipid levels and reducing atherosclerotic plaque buildup.
• Decrease tobacco use: Strongly instruct the client to decrease or, ideally, completely stop the use of tobacco, as smoking significantly contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis and aneurysm enlargement.
• Discuss the importance of weight management: If the client is overweight, encourage weight loss to relieve pressure on the cardiovascular system and reduce the risk of AAA expansion.

Wearing a truss is not a standard recommendation for managing AAA and thus should not be advised.