Nokea
A 50-year-old man presents with severe epigastric pain radiating to his back, nausea, and vomiting. He has a history of heavy alcohol use. Laboratory tests reveal elevated serum amylase and lipase. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Acute cholecystitis
- B. Peptic ulcer disease
- C. Acute pancreatitis
- D. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Acute pancreatitis. The patient's symptoms of severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, along with nausea, vomiting, and a history of heavy alcohol use, are classic for acute pancreatitis. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels further support this diagnosis, as they are key markers of pancreatic inflammation. Acute cholecystitis (A) typically presents with right upper quadrant pain and fever. Peptic ulcer disease (B) is characterized by burning epigastric pain that improves with food intake. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (D) presents with heartburn and regurgitation, not the severe symptoms seen in this case.
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A client with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is receiving warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction should the nurse provide?
- A. Avoid green leafy vegetables.
- B. Take aspirin for headaches.
- C. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- D. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Patients on warfarin are at risk for bleeding due to its anticoagulant effect. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush helps prevent gum bleeding and injury to the gums, reducing the risk of bleeding complications. Avoiding green leafy vegetables (choice A) is not necessary, as consistent intake is key for warfarin dosing. Taking aspirin (choice B) can increase the risk of bleeding. Limiting fluid intake (choice D) is not indicated in this case.
A 70-year-old woman presents with fatigue, anorexia, and weight loss. She has noticed darkening of her skin, particularly in sun-exposed areas. Laboratory tests reveal hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and low cortisol levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Cushing's syndrome
- B. Addison's disease
- C. Hypothyroidism
- D. Pheochromocytoma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis for the 70-year-old woman is Addison's disease. The symptoms of fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, darkened skin, along with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and low cortisol levels indicate adrenal insufficiency. Addison's disease is characterized by inadequate production of cortisol and aldosterone by the adrenal glands. The darkening of the skin, known as hyperpigmentation, is a classic sign of Addison's due to increased ACTH levels stimulating melanin production. In contrast, Cushing's syndrome presents with weight gain, hypertension, and high cortisol levels. Hypothyroidism typically presents with weight gain, cold intolerance, and constipation. Pheochromocytoma presents with hypertension, palpitations, and headaches due to excess catecholamine production. Therefore, the correct diagnosis in this case is Addison's disease.
When assessing a client with a chest tube connected to suction, which observation indicates that the chest tube is functioning properly?
- A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
- B. Intermittent bubbling in the suction control chamber.
- C. No fluctuation in the water seal chamber.
- D. Steady bubbling in the suction control chamber.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Steady bubbling in the suction control chamber. This indicates proper functioning as it shows that the suction is maintaining a consistent pressure, which is essential for effective drainage and lung re-expansion. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber (choice A) indicates an air leak. Intermittent bubbling in the suction control chamber (choice B) could suggest fluctuating pressure. No fluctuation in the water seal chamber (choice C) indicates either a blockage or disconnection. Steady bubbling in the suction control chamber (choice D) indicates the suction is working consistently, ensuring proper drainage and lung re-expansion.
The patient described in the preceding question has a positive H. pylori antibody blood test. She is compliant with the medical regimen you prescribe. Although her symptoms initially respond, she returns to see you six months later with the same symptoms. Which of the following statements is correct?
- A. She is at low risk for reinfection with H. pylori
- B. A positive serum IgG indicates that eradication of H. pylori was successful
- C. The urease breath test is an ideal test to document failure of eradication
- D. Dyspepsia typically worsens with H. pylori eradication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the urease breath test is the ideal test to document failure of H. pylori eradication. This test directly measures the presence of the H. pylori bacterium in the stomach by detecting the enzyme urease produced by the bacterium. If the patient still has symptoms after treatment, a positive urease breath test would indicate that the bacterium is still present, leading to treatment failure.
Choice A is incorrect because a positive antibody test does not indicate low risk for reinfection. Choice B is incorrect because a positive serum IgG may persist even after successful eradication. Choice D is incorrect because dyspepsia can improve after successful H. pylori eradication rather than worsen.
A 28-year-old woman presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. She has a history of recurrent mouth ulcers and a perianal fistula. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Ulcerative colitis
- B. Irritable bowel syndrome
- C. Crohn's disease
- D. Diverticulitis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis for the 28-year-old woman with abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, mouth ulcers, and perianal fistula is Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is characterized by inflammation that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, mouth ulcers, and fistulas. Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon, not the entire digestive tract like in this case. Irritable bowel syndrome typically presents with abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits but not with fistulas. Diverticulitis is inflammation of pouches that can develop in the colon, but it does not typically present with mouth ulcers or fistulas.