Description

Overview

1. Cholesterol
   1. Normal Value Range
   2. Pathophysiology
   3. Any special considerations when drawing the lab (i.e. on ice, etc.)
   4. Too High: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
   5. Too Low: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Nursing Points

General

1. Normal values
   1. <200 mg/dL
2. Pathophysiology
   1. Functions
      1. Essential in cell membrane formation
      2. Precursor to Vitamin D
      3. Precursor to hormone formation
      4. Synthesized in liver
   2. Lipoproteins
      1. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
         1. Removes excess levels of cholesterol
         2. Goal >60 mg/dL
      2. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
         1. Contributes to plaque buildup
         2. Goal <100 mg/dL
   3. Excess cholesterol and lipid buildup
      1. Contributes to:
         1. Atherosclerosis
         2. Arteriosclerosis
3. Special considerations
   1. Submit in green top tube
   2. Ensure patient fasts
      1. Food intake can alter results
4. Elevated cholesterol levels
   1. Obesity
   2. Cushing's Disease
   3. Hypothyroidism
   4. Ischemic heart disease
   5. Diabetes
   6. Liver disease
      1. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
   7. Malabsorption
      1. For all patients, attempt to decrease cholesterol levels with diet/exercise;
      2. If no improvement, incorporate statins (unless immediate concern for impending disease (such as stroke or MI)
5. Decreased cholesterol levels
   1. Burns
   2. Hyperthyroidism
   3. Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia
   4. Malnutrition
   5. Anorexia

Assessment

1. Assess fitness/activity lifestyle and goals
2. Assess nutritional status, goals and lifestyle

Therapeutic Management

1. Incorporate low fat diet
2. Incorporate fitness/activity increase as tolerated

Nursing Concepts

1. Lab Values
2. Nutrition

Patient Education

1. Educate patient on utilizing a low fat/low cholesterol diet
2. Educate patient on appropriate fitness or activity level increase dependent on tolerance