A patient with chronic hepatic encephalopathy is being discharged home. Discharge teaching centers upon long-term management strategies to prevent ammonia accumulation. Teaching for this patient includes instruction about
- A. Lactulose taken 20 g PO daily
- B. Spironolactone taken 100 mg PO daily
- C. Protein intake of 50 g daily
- D. Zolpidem taken 10 mg PO qhs.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protein intake of 50 g daily. In hepatic encephalopathy, reducing protein intake is crucial to prevent ammonia accumulation. Protein breakdown in the body leads to ammonia production, which worsens encephalopathy symptoms. Limiting protein intake to 50g daily helps decrease ammonia formation. Lactulose (choice A) is used to reduce ammonia absorption in the gut. Spironolactone (choice B) is a diuretic used to treat fluid retention in liver disease. Zolpidem (choice D) is a sedative and not related to managing ammonia accumulation in hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect for long-term management of ammonia accumulation in hepatic encephalopathy.
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An inorganic risk factor to birth injuries includes
- A. Maternal short stature
- B. Prenatal oligohydramnios
- C. External cephalic version
- D. Fetal macrosomia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fetal macrosomia. Fetal macrosomia, which refers to a baby being significantly larger than average, is an inorganic risk factor for birth injuries because it can lead to difficult delivery and increase the risk of birth trauma such as shoulder dystocia. Maternal short stature (A) is a biological risk factor, not inorganic. Prenatal oligohydramnios (B) refers to low levels of amniotic fluid and is a maternal condition, not an inorganic factor. External cephalic version (C) is a procedure to turn a breech baby and is not a risk factor for birth injuries.
Precipitate labor is an unusually rapid labor
- A. Where the external cervical os fails to dilate despite good uterine contractions
- B. That is concluded in more than three hours
- C. That is concluded in less than three hours
- D. Where the external cervical os fails to dilate due to poor uterine contractions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because precipitate labor is defined as labor that is concluded in less than three hours. This rapid progression can lead to complications such as increased risk of tearing and fetal distress. Choice A is incorrect because it describes a different condition where the cervix fails to dilate despite good contractions. Choice B is incorrect as it contradicts the definition of precipitate labor. Choice D is incorrect as it describes a scenario where the cervix fails to dilate due to poor uterine contractions, which is not characteristic of precipitate labor. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer based on the definition and characteristics of precipitate labor.
Hepatic encephalopathy is a clinical syndrome seen in patients with chronic liver disease its presentation may range from mild personality changes, to psychosis, to coma. The primary chemical mediators of hepatic encephalopathy include all of the following except
- A. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
- B. Ammonia
- C. False neurotransmitters
- D. Serotonin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ammonia. Ammonia is a primary chemical mediator of hepatic encephalopathy. In patients with chronic liver disease, the liver's ability to detoxify ammonia is compromised, leading to its accumulation in the bloodstream and subsequent neurotoxic effects causing encephalopathy. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), false neurotransmitters, and serotonin are all implicated in the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy. GABA is involved in neurotransmission, false neurotransmitters are substances that disrupt normal neurotransmission, and serotonin levels are altered in hepatic encephalopathy.
Which one of the following features is indicative of an abnormal labour pattern?
- A. Presence of the retraction ring
- B. Presence of the Bandl’s ring
- C. Cervical canal short and thin
- D. Vagina is warm and moist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Presence of the Bandl's ring. This is indicative of an abnormal labor pattern as it may suggest a uterine rupture, which is a serious complication. Bandl's ring is a constriction ring formed between the upper and lower uterine segments due to excessive uterine contractions. It can lead to fetal distress and necessitate immediate medical intervention.
A: Presence of the retraction ring is a normal phenomenon during labor, marking the boundary between the lower and upper uterine segments.
C: Cervical canal short and thin can be a normal variation in labor and does not necessarily indicate an abnormal pattern.
D: Vagina being warm and moist is a common physiological response during labor and does not provide information on the progress or abnormality of labor.
A non-pharmacological measure of pain relief in labour includes
- A. Entonox
- B. Cyclothane
- C. Diamorphine
- D. Homeopathy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Diamorphine. Diamorphine is a non-pharmacological measure of pain relief in labor. It is a type of opioid analgesic that helps to reduce pain during labor. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering the perception of pain.
Rationale:
1. Diamorphine is a medication that directly targets pain relief.
2. It is a commonly used non-pharmacological measure in labor settings.
3. Diamorphine does not involve the use of any gases or inhalants like Entonox (A) or Cyclothane (B).
4. Homeopathy (D) is based on the principle of treating "like with like" using highly diluted substances and is not typically used for pain relief in labor.
Summary:
A: Entonox and B: Cyclothane are incorrect because they are pharmacological measures involving the use of gases or inhalants. D: Homeopathy is