A 55-year-old male patient post-myocardial infarction (MI) asks the nurse whether he will be healthy enough for sexual activity after discharge from the hospital. The patient has been prescribed anti-hypertensives and beta-blockers. During health teaching, the nurse understands that the three phases of the four-stage model of the human sexual response cycle that are of concern for this patient include which phases?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During these three phases, heart rate, blood pressure, and respirations increase steadily, increasing stress to the heart muscle. This would be the period of greatest concern for a patient who has recently experienced an MI. The plateau and orgasmic phases may be of physiologic concern to this patient, but during the resolution phase, vital signs return to normal, and muscles relax. Arousal is not a phase in the four-stage model of the human sexual response cycle, although some researchers feel this should be added.

A 55-Year-Old Male Patient Post-Myocardial Infarction (MI) Asks the Nurse