Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

Which treatment method is suggested when surgery poses an excessive risk for an elderly patient with an aneurysm?

1. Immediate surgical intervention

2. Conservative management

3. Extended bed rest

4. Invasive monitoring

The correct answer is: Conservative management

Conservative management is an appropriate treatment method for an elderly patient with an aneurysm when surgery carries an excessive risk. This approach involves monitoring the patient closely while managing symptoms and reducing the risk factors that could lead to aneurysm rupture. Conservative management might include lifestyle modifications, control of hypertension, and regular imaging studies to track the aneurysm's size and progression. This approach is particularly relevant for elderly patients who may have multiple comorbidities or compromised physiological reserves, making them less tolerant of the stresses associated with surgical intervention. The focus in such cases is to prioritize the patient's quality of life and safety while managing the aneurysm conservatively until the risk of surgery is deemed acceptable or until there is a significant change in the patient's condition that necessitates surgical intervention. Invasive monitoring and extended bed rest may be useful in certain clinical scenarios, but they do not directly address the treatment of the aneurysm itself or may introduce further complications without providing a definitive solution. Immediate surgical intervention is typically not recommended if surgery poses an excessive risk, aligning with the decision to choose conservative management instead.