Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of an aneurysm. The client asks the nurse to explain what causes an aneurysm to rupture. Which of the following statements should the nurse give?

A. "This can occur when the wall of an artery becomes thin and flexible."
B. "This can occur when there is turbulence in blood flow in the artery."
C. "It is d/t abdominal enlargement."
D. "It is due to HTN."

Answer 1

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a significant risk factor for aneurysm rupture due to the constant stress it places on vessel walls, which can lead to wall weakness and ultimately rupture especially in areas already thinned by an aneurysm.

Step-by-step explanation:

When explaining what causes an aneurysm to rupture, the nurse should point out that high blood pressure, or hypertension (HTN), is a significant risk factor. The walls of blood vessels are under constant stress due to high blood pressure. Over time, this sustained pressure can weaken the vessel walls, particularly where they are already stretched and thin due to the aneurysm. When the force exerted by the blood flow exceeds the vessel wall's ability to contain it, a rupture can occur. It is similar to how a balloon might burst if too much pressure is applied inside it. Continuous high blood pressure can promote both the formation of aneurysms as well as their subsequent rupture.

To put this into perspective with an example, calculate the maximum force exerted by the blood on an aneurysm with a maximum blood pressure reading of 150 mm Hg and an effective area of 20.0 cm². This force contributes to further enlargement of the aneurysm and increases the risk of rupture due to the weakening of the vessel wall.