Review the scenario provided, as well as Chapter 25 in the Huether and McCance text. Consider how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment for the patient.

Diagnose and treatment: According to the scenario, a patient with a systolic grade II/VI murmur is heard at its loudest point in the apex during an examination for sports participation. This could indicate an underlying cardiomyopathic disorder such as hypertrophic or aortic cardiomyopathy. As such, further diagnostic tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and stress test, should be ordered to evaluate the patient’s heart structure and function. The patient will be sent to an expert for evaluation and further management if any abnormalities have been found.

According to the results of diagnostic tests, the treatment may consist of medications such as calcium channel blockers (CCBs), beta-blockers and antiarrhythmics. Surgical interventions such as septal myectomy or valve replacement can also be used in order to prevent complications.

The impact of genetics is significant, since many cardiovascular conditions are hereditary. In the scenario, if the patient has a family history of cardiovascular disorders, the advanced practice nurse may want to consider ordering genetic testing to evaluate the patient’s risk for inherited conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. If a genetic mutation is found, the patient’s family members should also be tested and monitored for the same condition. A genetic mutation may also affect treatment choices and management.