patient with heart failure complains of a poor appetite and weakness, and the nurse notices that the patient has begun losing weight.The nurse recognizes this as:
A)cardiac cachexia.
B)anorexia nervosa.
C)cardiomyopathy.
D)myocardial infarction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of poor appetite, weakness, and weight loss are typical of cardiac cachexia, which is a wasting syndrome that occurs in patients with heart failure. It is characterized by loss of lean body mass, muscle wasting, and anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological disorder that involves a distorted body image and an intense fear of gaining weight. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscles, while myocardial infarction is a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart, which can cause damage to the heart muscles. Cardiac cachexia is a condition in which patients with heart failure experience unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, and overall weakness due to the body's inability to properly utilize nutrients. It is a serious complication of heart failure and can lead to poorer outcomes for the patient. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image and an obsessive fear of gaining weight, and is not a likely diagnosis for a patient with heart failure. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle itself and may be a possible cause of heart failure, but does not explain the patient's symptoms of poor appetite and weight loss. Myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, may cause heart failure as a secondary complication, but does not explain the patient's current symptoms.

Patient with Heart Failure Complains of a Poor Appetite and Weakness