A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for the treatment of depression. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor closely in the patient?
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Hyponatremia
- D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hyponatremia. SSRI medications can lead to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), causing hyponatremia. This occurs due to increased levels of serotonin affecting the hypothalamus, leading to excessive ADH release. Hyponatremia can result in neurological symptoms and must be closely monitored.
A: Bradycardia is not a common adverse effect of SSRIs.
B: Hyperkalemia is not typically associated with SSRIs.
D: Hypertension is not a common adverse effect of SSRIs; they may actually lower blood pressure.
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A patient undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU develops acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What intervention should the healthcare team prioritize to manage the patient's exacerbation?
- A. Initiate non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV).
- B. Administer bronchodilator medications for bronchodilation.
- C. Perform endotracheal intubation for invasive mechanical ventilation.
- D. Recommend chest physiotherapy to promote airway clearance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Initiate non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). This intervention is prioritized as it helps improve oxygenation and ventilation in COPD exacerbation without the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, reducing the risk of ventilator-associated complications. NIPPV also decreases the work of breathing and can prevent the need for intubation. Administering bronchodilator medications (B) is important in COPD exacerbation but may not address the immediate need for ventilatory support. Endotracheal intubation (C) should be reserved for cases of respiratory failure not responding to NIPPV. Chest physiotherapy (D) may be beneficial in some cases but is not the first-line intervention for managing acute COPD exacerbation.
A surgeon accidentally cuts his patient's bladder while attempting to remove his appendix. The surgeon could be guilty of _________
- A. Battery
- B. Negligence
- C. Malpractice
- D. Tort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Malpractice. Malpractice refers to professional negligence or failure to perform duties according to accepted standards of practice. In this scenario, the surgeon's act of cutting the patient's bladder during an appendectomy could be considered a breach of duty and failure to provide the expected standard of care, which falls under malpractice. Battery (A) involves intentional harmful or offensive contact without consent. Negligence (B) is the failure to exercise reasonable care, but in this case, it was more than just a lack of care. Tort (D) refers to a civil wrong that causes harm, but malpractice is a specific type of tort related to professional negligence.
A patient presents with watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea after consuming contaminated water from a stream during a camping trip. Laboratory tests reveal oocysts in the stool sample. Which of the following parasites is most likely responsible for this infection?
- A. Giardia lamblia
- B. Entamoeba histolytica
- C. Cryptosporidium parvum
- D. Cyclospora cayetanensis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cryptosporidium parvum. This parasite is the most likely cause of the infection due to its presentation with watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea after consuming contaminated water. Laboratory tests revealing oocysts in the stool sample further support this diagnosis as Cryptosporidium parvum is known to produce oocysts in the stool. Giardia lamblia (choice A) presents with similar symptoms but does not typically produce oocysts. Entamoeba histolytica (choice B) is more associated with bloody diarrhea and liver abscesses. Cyclospora cayetanensis (choice D) is also associated with watery diarrhea but is less common in this scenario. Thus, based on the symptoms and laboratory findings, Cryptosporidium parvum is the most likely culprit.
A patient with a history of chronic liver disease presents with ecchymoses, mucosal bleeding, and altered mental status. Laboratory tests reveal prolonged PT and aPTT, low fibrinogen levels, and elevated D-dimer. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause these findings?
- A. Liver cirrhosis
- B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- C. Hemophilia A
- D. Vitamin K deficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In DIC, there is widespread activation of coagulation leading to consumption of clotting factors, resulting in prolonged PT and aPTT, low fibrinogen levels, and elevated D-dimer. This pattern matches the laboratory findings in the patient. In liver cirrhosis (choice A), there is a decrease in clotting factors synthesis, leading to prolonged PT but not aPTT. Hemophilia A (choice C) is a genetic disorder that affects specific clotting factors, typically leading to prolonged aPTT but not PT. Vitamin K deficiency (choice D) impairs the synthesis of clotting factors, leading to prolonged PT but not aPTT and low levels of factors II, VII, IX, and X.
A patient presents with chronic nasal congestion, hyposmia, and anosmia. Nasal endoscopy reveals polypoid masses obstructing the nasal cavity and sinuses. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?
- A. Allergic rhinitis
- B. Chronic sinusitis
- C. Nasal polyps
- D. Deviated nasal septum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are benign growths that form in the nasal cavity and sinuses, leading to symptoms such as chronic nasal congestion, hyposmia, and anosmia. The presence of polypoid masses seen on nasal endoscopy is characteristic of nasal polyps.
Rationale:
1. Chronic nasal congestion, hyposmia, and anosmia are common symptoms of nasal polyps.
2. Nasal endoscopy revealing polypoid masses confirms the presence of nasal polyps.
3. Allergic rhinitis may cause nasal congestion but does not typically present with polypoid masses.
4. Chronic sinusitis can cause nasal congestion but is usually associated with inflammation of the sinuses, not just polypoid masses.
5. A deviated nasal septum can lead to nasal congestion but does not typically cause polypoid masses obstructing the nasal cavity and sinuses.