Pathophysiology & Chronic Disease Management Flashcards

Which hemoglobin A1c value is the diagnostic threshold for type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Answer: 6.5%

An HbA1c of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests confirms a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Which pathophysiological mechanism primarily causes hypertension in patients with metabolic syndrome?

Answer: Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia

Insulin resistance leads to hyperinsulinemia, which promotes sodium retention and increased sympathetic activity, raising blood pressure.

A client with COPD demonstrates a barrel chest. Which structural change causes this?

Answer: Air trapping and lung hyperinflation

Chronic air trapping due to expiratory airflow limitation causes the lungs to hyperinflate, pushing the chest into a barrel shape.

Which lipid profile pattern is most associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetics?

Answer: High triglycerides, low HDL

Diabetic dyslipidemia is characterized by elevated triglycerides and reduced HDL, a pattern strongly linked to cardiovascular events.

What is the primary cardiovascular adaptation that occurs in clients with chronic heart failure?

Answer: Left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation

Chronic pressure or volume overload causes the left ventricle to hypertrophy and dilate in an attempt to maintain cardiac output.

Which inflammatory marker is most commonly elevated in clients with metabolic syndrome?

Answer: C-reactive protein (CRP)

C-reactive protein is a systemic inflammatory marker consistently elevated in metabolic syndrome due to adipose-driven inflammation.