Question

Mr. Johnson is an overweight patient with a history of myocardial infarction four years ago. He is in the office today complaining that he doesn't feel well. He's experiencing nausea, shortness of breath, and a little dizziness. His feet and ankles seem swollen, and his neck veins are prominent. For which of the following conditions might the practitioner test given the patient's symptoms?

a) Congestive heart failure
b) Angina pectoris
c) Pulmonary embolism
d) Aortic dissection

Answer 1

The practitioner might test for congestive heart failure considering Mr. Johnson's symptoms of nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, swollen ankles, and prominent neck veins. Congestive heart failure is marked by fluid retention and poor blood circulation, aligning with the patient's symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the patient's history of myocardial infarction and current symptoms of nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, swollen feet and ankles, and prominent neck veins, the practitioner might test for congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF is characterized by the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, which can lead to fluid retention, swelling in the extremities (edema), and respiratory symptoms due to fluid buildup in the lungs.

The swollen feet and ankles, combined with prominent neck veins, may indicate fluid overload, a common sign of CHF. Other conditions like angina pectoris could present with shortness of breath and dizziness but are generally associated with chest pain. Pulmonary embolism could cause shortness of breath and swelling if it results in heart strain, while aortic dissection would more likely present with severe chest or back pain.