Cholesterol



Cholesterol





3 What physical findings will the Step 2 test use as clues to hypercholesterolemia?


Xanthelasma (Fig. 5-1; Plate 2), tendon xanthomas (cholesterol deposits in the skin, classically over tendons in the lower extremities), corneal arcus in younger patients, “milky”-appearing serum, and obesity are possible markers for familial hypercholesterolemia. Family members should be tested if a case of familial hypercholesterolemia is found. Pancreatitis in the absence of obvious risk factors may be a marker for familial hypertriglyceridemia.


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Figure 5-1 Xanthelasma. Multiple soft, yellow plaques involving the lower eyelid. Xanthelasma is usually a normal finding with no significance but is classically seen on the USMLE because of its association with hypercholesterolemia. Screen affected patients with a fasting lipid profile. See Plate 2. (From Yanoff M, Duker JS. Ophthalmology, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Mosby, 2008, Fig. 12-9-18.)


4 What are the current recommendations for management of cholesterol levels?


The following information is from the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Total cholesterol goal is less than 200 mg/dL, with more than 240 mg/dL considered high, and normal triglyceride levels are less than 150 mg/dL, with more than 200 mg/dL considered high. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is usually the main player for treatment decisions. The numbers in the chart below represent mg/dL:


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Apr 8, 2017 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Cholesterol

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