Question

A 71 year old male patient comes to the clinic with new onset of shortness of breath. During examination, the nurse practitioner finds a pulsating abdominal mass that is 4 cm wide. What is the next step for this patient?

a. Reevaluate in one month
b. Refer to cardiology
c. Order an MRI and abdominal ultrasound
d. Order an abdominal ultrasound and CT

Answer 1

The next step for this patient is to order an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is suspected based on the findings and further imaging is needed to determine if surgical intervention is necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The next step for this patient is to order an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan.

The presence of a pulsating abdominal mass in a 71-year-old male patient with new onset of shortness of breath raises suspicion for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An AAA is a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. It is important to evaluate the size and extent of the AAA with imaging studies to determine if surgical intervention is necessary.

An abdominal ultrasound can provide detailed images of the abdominal aorta and measure the size of the aneurysm. This is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images. Additionally, a CT scan can provide more detailed information about the extent of the aneurysm and help guide treatment decisions.