During a blood pressure screening at a pharmacy, an older person experiences a fluttering in the chest. What should the nurse interpret this finding as being?

Question

1. Hypothyroidism
2. Exercise intolerance
3. Nonspecific cardiac changes with aging
4. Underlying illness that requires a medical evaluation

Answer 1

4. Underlying illness that requires a medical evaluation

Explanation: 1. Chest fluttering can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
2. Exercise intolerance would include symptoms of shortness of breath, which the older person does not report.
3. This symptom does not indicate normal cardiac changes.
4. New onset atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias may signal the onset of a serious underlying illness that requires further medical evaluation.