Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Test

During treatment for aortic aneurysm, what is a necessary intervention?

1. Increase Drug Dosages

2. Surgical Intervention

3. Physical Therapy

4. Monitoring Plasmapheresis

The correct answer is: Surgical Intervention

In the context of treating an aortic aneurysm, surgical intervention is often considered a necessary course of action, especially if the aneurysm is large, symptomatic, or at risk of rupture. Surgical repair can involve either open surgery to directly remove and replace the damaged section of the aorta or an endovascular approach where a stent graft is placed to reinforce the arterial wall. This intervention addresses the immediate life-threatening risks associated with an aneurysm, which can include severe internal bleeding and life-threatening complications. While increasing drug dosages may be relevant in managing hypertension or other underlying conditions, it is not a direct intervention for the aneurysm itself. Physical therapy might be part of postoperative recovery but is not an essential immediate treatment for the aneurysm. Monitoring plasmapheresis is generally related to conditions involving blood disorders or specific autoimmune diseases and is not applicable in the context of aortic aneurysms. Therefore, surgical intervention stands out as the crucial and necessary treatment to minimize the risks associated with an aortic aneurysm.