Question

Ms. Washington is a 67-year-old who had a heart attack last month. Now she complains of shortness of breath and not being able to sleep in a flat position (orthopnea). On examination you note increased jugular venous pressure, an S 3 gallop, crackles low in the lung fields, and swollen ankles (edema). This is an example of a:

Answer 1

Answer: Pathophysiological problem

Explanation:

Pathophysiological problems refers to the study of the adverse changes that occur in the normal physical, mechanical and biochemical functioning of the body. These changes are caused either due to a disease or an abnormal syndrome.  

The given situation is an example of the pathophysiological problem. This is due to abnormal changes in the physical, mechanical and biochemical functioning of the body. The physical changes includes the shortness of breath, swollen ankles , three gallops and not being able to sleep in flat position. The increased jugular venous pressure, crackles in the lung, are the example of the mechanical changes in the pathophysiological problem.