The nurse is evaluating a 52-year-old male for risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). The patient is overweight, male, and smokes a pack a day. The nurse questions the patient about other risk factors including
Explanation
• The major risk factors for coronary heart disease are diabetes, smoking, increased low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and hypertension.
• Incorrect: Elevated high density liproprotein (HDL) levels are protective against CAD.
• Incorrect: Atherosclerotic heart disease is just another name for coronary artery disease.
• Incorrect: Gout is not associated with CAD.