A client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis is reporting vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. The nurse notes that the client is hypotensive and experiencing facial muscle twitching. Which possible situation does this assessment data support?
- A. Myasthenic crisis
- B. Cholinergic crisis
- C. Systemic infection
- D. Reaction to plasmapheresis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Signs and symptoms of cholinergic crisis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, blurred vision, pallor, facial muscle twitching, pupillary miosis, and hypotension. It is caused by overmedication with cholinergic (anticholinesterase) medications, and it is treated by withholding medications. Myasthenic crisis is an exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms caused by undermedication with anticholinesterase medications. There are no data in the question to support the remaining options.
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The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. The client is receiving 600 mg of oral rifampin daily. Which laboratory finding would indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse effect?
- A. A sedimentation rate of 15 mm/hour
- B. A white blood cell count of 6000 mm^3 (6 × 10^9/L)
- C. A total bilirubin level of 0.3 mg/dL (5.1 mcmol/L)
- D. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 80 U/L (80 U/L)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Adverse or toxic effects of rifampin include hepatotoxicity, hepatitis, jaundice, blood dyscrasias, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and antibiotic-related colitis. The nurse monitors for increased liver function, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid levels because elevations indicate an adverse effect. The normal ALT level is 4 to 36 U/L (4 to 36 U/L). The normal total bilirubin level is 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL (5.1 to 17 mcmol/L). The normal sedimentation rate is 0 to 30 mm/hour. A normal white blood cell count is 5000 to 10,000 mm^3 (5 to 10 × 10^9/L).
The mother explains that after meals her infant has been vomiting, and now it is becoming more frequent and forceful. During the assessment, the nurse notes visible peristaltic waves moving from left to right across the infant's abdomen. On the basis of these findings, which condition should the nurse suspect?
- A. Colic
- B. Intussusception
- C. Congenital megacolon
- D. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In pyloric stenosis, the vomitus contains sour, undigested food but no bile, the child is constipated, and visible peristaltic waves move from left to right across the abdomen. A movable, palpable, firm, olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant may be noted. Crying during the evening hours, appearing to be in pain, but eating well and gaining weight are clinical manifestations of colic. An infant who suddenly becomes pale, cries out, and draws the legs up to the chest is demonstrating physical signs of intussusception. Ribbon-like stool, bile-stained emesis, the absence of peristalsis, and abdominal distention are symptoms of congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung's disease).
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client in Buck's (extension) traction. The nurse should determine that which is a priority client problem?
- A. Immobility
- B. Risk of infection
- C. Altered independence
- D. Insufficient sensory stimulation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority client problem in Buck's traction is immobility. Options 3 and 4 may also be appropriate for the client in traction, but immobility presents the greatest risk for the development of complications. Buck's traction is a skin traction, and there are no pin sites.
The mother whose child is generally alert and participates well in classroom activities is concerned that the teacher now reported that the child has frequent periods during the day when he appears to be staring off into space. The nurse should suspect that the child has which problem?
- A. School phobia
- B. Absence seizures
- C. Behavioral problem
- D. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Absence seizures are a type of generalized seizure. They consist of a sudden, brief (usually 5 to 10 seconds) arrest of the child's motor activities accompanied by a blank stare and a loss of awareness. The child's posture is maintained at the end of the seizure, and the child returns to activity that was in process as though nothing has happened. School phobia includes physical symptoms that usually occur at home and that may prevent the child from attending school. Behavior problems would be noted by more overt symptoms than the ones described in this question. A child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity syndrome becomes easily distracted, is fidgety, and has difficulty following directions.
The nurse is assessing a 39-year-old Caucasian client with a blood pressure (BP) of 152/92 mm Hg at rest, a total cholesterol level of 180 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L), and a fasting blood glucose level of 90 mg/dL (5.14 mmol/L). On which risk factor for coronary artery disease should the nurse place priority?
- A. Age
- B. Hypertension
- C. Hyperlipidemia
- D. Glucose intolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertension, cigarette smoking, and hyperlipidemia are major risk modifiable factors for coronary artery disease. Glucose intolerance, obesity, and response to stress are also contributing factors. An age of more than 40 years is a nonmodifiable risk factor. A cholesterol level of 180 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L) and a blood glucose level of 90 mg/dL (5.14 mmol/L) are within the normal range. The nurse places priority on major risk factors that need modification.
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