Question

A client with an abdominal aneurysm frequently complains of: A. A headache B. Shortness of breath only during sleep C. Lower back pain D. Difficulty voiding

Short answer

Answer: C. Lower back pain

Step-by-step solution

Understand abdominal aneurysm

An abdominal aneurysm is a localized, balloon-like enlargement in the lower part of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As the aorta enlarges, it can cause symptoms and eventually rupture if not treated, which can be life-threatening.

Analyze the given options

Go through each option and consider if the symptoms are associated with an abdominal aneurysm. A. A headache - Headaches can occur due to various reasons but are not directly related to an abdominal aneurysm. B. Shortness of breath only during sleep - Shortness of breath is generally associated with respiratory or cardiac issues and is not specific to an abdominal aneurysm. C. Lower back pain - Lower back pain can be caused by several factors; however, this could be related to an abdominal aneurysm as it might press against nearby organs or other blood vessels. D. Difficulty voiding - While difficulty voiding can be related to various medical conditions, it does not directly involve an abdominal aneurysm.

Choose the correct option

Based on the analysis performed in Step 2, option C (Lower back pain) seems to be the most common complaint from a client with an abdominal aneurysm. The other options do not directly correlate with an abdominal aneurysm. So the correct answer is: C. Lower back pain