A patient reports severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Assessment reveals a temperature of 102°F (38.8°C) and pulse of 82 beats/min. Results of a complete blood count reveal lower than normal segmented and banded neutrophils and higher than normal lymphocytes. Which type of infection does the nurse suspect this patient is most likely experiencing?
- A. Viral
- B. Fungal
- C. Parasitic
- D. Bacterial
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Viral. The patient's symptoms (abdominal cramping, diarrhea, fever) are consistent with a viral infection, such as gastroenteritis. The lower segmented and banded neutrophils indicate a viral infection, as viruses often target lymphocytes. The higher lymphocyte count is a characteristic response to viral infections. Other choices are incorrect as fungal, parasitic, and bacterial infections typically present with different symptoms and laboratory findings.
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A 16-year-old patient with a left-side pelvic osteosarcoma is taking extended release oxycodone twice daily as well as immediate release oxycodone for breakthrough pain approximately 2 or 3 times per day. She describes her pain as burning, tingling, and shooting in her left leg. Her pain worsens with hot showers. Her most recent EKG has a QTc of 495. What would be the best strategy to manage her pain?
- A. Switch from long-acting oxycodone to methadone.
- B. Recommend more frequent use of her immediate release oxycodone.
- C. Add amitriptyline daily. Start low and titrate upward on dosage.
- D. Add gabapentin three times daily. Start low and titrate upward on dose.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: The patient's pain is described as burning, tingling, and shooting in her left leg, which suggests neuropathic pain.
Step 2: The pain worsens with hot showers, indicating sensitivity to temperature changes, a common feature of neuropathic pain.
Step 3: Gabapentin is a first-line medication for neuropathic pain, as it stabilizes nerve cells and reduces abnormal pain signaling.
Step 4: Starting low and titrating upward on gabapentin dose helps minimize side effects and optimize pain relief.
Step 5: Methadone (Choice A) is not the best option for neuropathic pain. Increasing immediate release oxycodone (Choice B) may lead to opioid tolerance. Amitriptyline (Choice C) may help neuropathic pain but is not as specific as gabapentin.
Outstanding feature of ITP:
- A. fever
- B. gum bleeding
- C. moderate splenomegaly
- D. stema tenderness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: gum bleeding. In Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), the hallmark feature is thrombocytopenia leading to mucocutaneous bleeding, including gum bleeding. Fever (choice A) is not a typical feature of ITP. Splenomegaly (choice C) can be present in chronic ITP but is not a defining feature. Sterna tenderness (choice D) is not specific to ITP and is not considered a characteristic feature. Thus, gum bleeding is the outstanding feature of ITP due to the primary pathophysiology of decreased platelet count leading to bleeding manifestations.
A nurse is caring for a client who is about to begin taking aspirin to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. The nurse should identify that the drug inhibits platelet aggregation by which of the following mechanisms?
- A. Activating thromboxane A2
- B. Blocking adenosine diphosphate receptor agonists
- C. Suppressing specific clotting factors
- D. Inhibiting cyclooxygenase action in platelets
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inhibiting cyclooxygenase action in platelets. Aspirin works by irreversibly inhibiting cyclooxygenase, specifically COX-1, in platelets. By inhibiting COX-1, aspirin prevents the formation of thromboxane A2, which is a potent platelet aggregator. This action reduces platelet aggregation and ultimately decreases the risk of clot formation leading to a cardiovascular event.
Choice A is incorrect because aspirin does not activate thromboxane A2, but rather inhibits its formation. Choice B is incorrect as aspirin does not block adenosine diphosphate receptors. Choice C is incorrect as aspirin does not suppress specific clotting factors, but rather inhibits platelet function through the mechanism described above.
You are consulted on a 4-year-old girl who is newly diagnosed with standard-risk pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After reviewing her previous complete blood examinations, you note she has had a platelet count ranging from 80,000 to 100,000 cells/mcL over the past 2 years. Her father mentions that he has also been told he has mild thrombocytopenia. You suspect the child may have a cancer predisposition syndrome. Which sample should you send for analysis, and which gene is most likely implicated?
- A. Skin fibroblasts to evaluate the RUNX1 gene
- B. Skin fibroblasts to evaluate the ETV6 gene
- C. Buccal swab to evaluate the RUNX1 gene
- D. Buccal swab to evaluate the ETV6 gene
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Skin fibroblasts to evaluate the ETV6 gene.
1. ETV6 gene mutations are associated with inherited thrombocytopenia, making it a likely candidate in this case.
2. Skin fibroblasts are needed for genetic analysis as they provide a reliable sample for detecting genetic mutations.
3. RUNX1 gene mutations are also linked to thrombocytopenia but are more commonly associated with familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia.
4. Buccal swabs are not ideal for evaluating genetic mutations related to thrombocytopenia as they may not provide sufficient genetic material for accurate testing.
A patient with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is being treated with induction therapy on the oncology unit. What nursing action should be prioritized in the patient's care plan?
- A. Protective isolation and vigilant use of standard precautions
- B. Provision of a high-calorie, low-texture diet and appropriate oral hygiene
- C. Including the family in planning the patient's activities of daily living
- D. Monitoring and treating the patient's pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Protective isolation and vigilant use of standard precautions. This is the priority because patients with AML are at high risk for infections due to compromised immune systems. Isolation and strict infection control measures help prevent exposure to pathogens. B is incorrect as the main priority is infection prevention, not diet. C is incorrect as involving the family is important but not the priority. D is incorrect as pain monitoring is important but not the priority in this case.