Exhibits After two days of intensive care, the client is transferred to the telemetry floor. The floor nurse is preparing a plan of care for the client. Which modifiable risk factor(s) should the nurse include in the teaching for this client? Select all that apply.

Rationale: A. Family history: A family history of aneurysms or vascular disease is a non-modifiable risk factor. While it provides valuable context for risk assessment, it cannot be changed through behavioral interventions. B. Hypertension: Elevated blood pressure contributes significantly to the development and progression of aortic aneurysms. Teaching the client to manage blood pressure through medications, diet, and lifestyle is essential to reducing further vascular damage. C. Obesity: Excess body weight increases the strain on the cardiovascular system and is associated with elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. Weight management strategies should be emphasized in post-discharge education. D. High cholesterol: Hyperlipidemia accelerates atherosclerosis, which weakens arterial walls and promotes aneurysm formation. Dietary changes, medication adherence, and lipid monitoring are important components of long-term care. E. Age: Advancing age is a major risk factor for aortic aneurysms, especially in individuals over 65. However, it is non-modifiable and therefore not the focus of preventive teaching. F. Male gender: Being male increases the risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysms compared to females, but gender is non-modifiable. Patient education should instead focus on risks the client can change or control. G. Coronary artery disease: While CAD and AAA share many of the same causes (like smoking and hypertension), CAD itself is a co-existing condition rather than a risk factor that can be modified to fix the aorta. However, managing the causes of CAD (like high cholesterol) is what the nurse would actually teach. H. Tobacco use: Smoking is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for aortic aneurysm development and rupture. Smoking cessation significantly decreases progression rates and improves overall vascular health.