When examining an elderly patient,which finding should be reported immediately to the patient's primary care provider?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An S₃ heart sound can be normal (physiological)or abnormal (pathological).The physiological S₃ is heard in children and young adults.After the age of 30,a physiological S₃ is very infrequent.An S₃ can also be normal in high-output states such as the third trimester of pregnancy.In adults,the S₃ is usually abnormal and may be one of the earliest clinical findings of cardiac dysfunction.The pathological S₃ is also called ventricular gallop or an S₃ gallop,and it persists when sitting up.The S₃ indicates decreased compliance of the ventricles,as in heart failure.A loud,persistent S₃ can be an ominous sign.The average life expectancy after a persistent S₃ sound is detected is approximately 4 to 5 years.Therefore,this finding should be reported immediately to the patient’s primary care provider.All of the clinical findings in options “a,” “b,” and “c” are normal.

When Examining an Elderly Patient,which Finding Should Be Reported Immediately