Practice Question
For each of the following, select either Modifiable Risk Factor, Non-Modifiable Risk Factor, or Is Not A Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease.
Answer Choices:
Rationale:
High Total Cholesterol = 285 mg/dL → Modifiable Risk Factor
✔️A total cholesterol level above 200 mg/dL is considered high and directly contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation in coronary arteries.
✔️Excess LDL cholesterol penetrates the arterial intima, becoming oxidized and triggering inflammatory reactions that lead to plaque buildup.
✔️Because cholesterol can be lowered through dietary modification, exercise, weight control, and lipid-lowering medications (e.g., statins), it is a modifiable risk factor.
✔️Controlling dyslipidemia greatly reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and coronary artery narrowing.
Hypertension → Modifiable Risk Factor
✔️Chronic high blood pressure damages the arterial endothelium, making vessels more prone to lipid infiltration and plaque formation.
✔️It increases afterload on the heart, leading to left ventricular hypertrophy and higher myocardial oxygen demand.
✔️Since hypertension can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes (dietary sodium restriction, exercise, weight loss, stress control) and medications, it is modifiable.
✔️Maintaining optimal blood pressure helps slow the progression of atherosclerosis and prevent cardiac complications.
Age → Non-Modifiable Risk Factor
✔️Advancing age naturally leads to vascular stiffening, endothelial dysfunction, and increased plaque formation.
✔️CAD risk significantly increases in men over 45 years and women over 55 years (post-menopause) due to loss of estrogen’s cardioprotective effects.
✔️Because age cannot be changed, it is a non-modifiable risk factor; however, awareness promotes early screening and preventive measures.
✔️ Focus should shift to controlling modifiable lifestyle factors to offset age-related risks.
Tobacco Use → Modifiable Risk Factor
✔️Smoking accelerates endothelial injury and promotes vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, and reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.
✔️ Nicotine increases catecholamine release, raising heart rate and blood pressure, while carbon monoxide reduces oxygen binding capacity.
✔️Quitting tobacco use immediately begins to lower CAD risk, improving vascular function within weeks.
✔️It is one of the most preventable contributors to coronary artery disease.
Family History → Non-Modifiable Risk Factor
✔️A family history of premature CAD (male relative <55 years, female relative <65 years) increases individual risk due to genetic predisposition and shared environmental influences.
✔️Inherited factors such as lipid metabolism disorders or hypertension susceptibility cannot be altered.
✔️Although non-modifiable, this risk underscores the need for early lifestyle intervention and routine cardiac screening.
✔️Nurses should emphasize modifiable lifestyle changes to offset genetic vulnerability.
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This question is from Exam 3 - Cardiac FA25 which contains 37 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: Examplify Exam(s)
- Domain: Medical-Surgical
- Answer Choices: 0