Mary beth plummer calls the medical clinic where you are employed to make an appointment for her 80-year- old husband, jim. jim has been complaining of shortness of breath and fatigue. mary beth has noticed prominent pulsations in the artery in his neck. she also reports that his ankles tend to swell.

case study questions
1. how soon will you set the requested appointment? identify the reason.
2. is age a factor in jim’s condition? explain.
3. what dietary restrictions, if any, might be recommended for jim?

Jim is suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension and is st risk of coronary artery disease.

Explanation:

1.How soon will you set the requested appointment? Identify the reason.

The cardiovascular symptoms exhibited by Jim are shortness of breath, fatigue, arterial pulsations, and swelling of ankles reveals the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension. High blood pressure and increased workload on heart is suggestive of coronary artery disease (CAD). Hence, immediate appointment shall be given on priority to this patient to manage his symptoms.  

2.Is age a factor in Jim’s condition? Explain.

Age is an important factor contributing to patient’s disease condition. Older adults with ages 65 years and older are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases because aging reduces the heart strength and elasticity of blood vessels. The common risk factors of heart disease among older adults are high blood pressure, high lipids, and smoking. Since, Jim is 80 years old and already has symptoms of high blood pressure, he is at increased risk of getting cardiovascular complications.  

3.What dietary restrictions, if any, might be recommended for Jim?

Dietary restrictions for Jim shall include avoidance of foods that raises the LDL cholesterol and are rich in saturated fat. Foods with high cholesterol include red meat, butter, cheese, coconut and fruits with high sugar content. Alternatively, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain flour, oatmeal and high-fiber cereals are highly recommended in CAD patients. Low salt and low sugar diet is recommended for Jim to control blood cholesterol and blood sugar.  

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