A patient, recovering from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, tells the nurse that it feels good to be cured of heart disease

Question

Which are appropriate responses by the nurse? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply. 1. "The surgery only relieves the symptoms; it does not cure the disease.".
2. "You must continue to modify your cardiac risk factors.".
3. "You are correct; your heart is now normal.".
4. "You should avoid exercise for at least 6 months after this surgery.".
5. "There no need to monitor your fat intake any longer.".

Answer 1

1,2
Rationale 1: Denial is a common coping mechanism among cardiac patients; it is essential that the nurse stress that CABG is not a cure for coronary artery disease (CAD).
Rationale 2: Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease; the patient needs to continue to modify risk factors.
Rationale 3: CABG only relives symptoms; it does not cure the disease.
Rationale 4: The patient should begin a cardiac rehabilitation program with a progressive exercise program.
Rationale 5: The patient must continue to modify risk factors such as fat intake.