Julia Is a Pretty, 16-Year-Old Patient Who Has Come to the Office

question 20

Multiple Choice

Julia is a pretty, 16-year-old patient who has come to the office for her annual physical. The physician has asked you to draw blood for routine blood tests. When she realizes that you are going to draw her blood, she frowns and backs away. She tells you that when "they" drew her blood last year, it left a huge, ugly bruise that took weeks to go away. Which of the following would be your best response?

• A) "They probably didn't draw the blood correctly last time."
• B) "Don't worry, I promise I will not cause a bruise on your arm."
• C) "If you get a bruise, you can wear long-sleeve shirts for a few weeks."
• D) "Some bruising is possible, but I will do everything possible to minimize it."
• E) "Bruising is just one of the side effects of having your blood drawn."

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Definitions:

Antioxidants

Compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, thereby preventing damage to cells.

Cardiovascular Disease

A class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels, often associated with atherosclerosis and other conditions affecting circulatory function.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction where a substance loses electrons, often associated with the process of rusting in metals and cellular damage in human bodies.

Cardiovascular Disease

This category includes conditions that affect the heart or the blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke.