A study is designed to investigate the rates of central line–associated blood stream infections among pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Three common central line types (totally implanted catheter [port], peripherally inserted central catheter [PICC], and tunneled externalized catheter [TEC]) were included in the study. What data structure is central line type?
- A. Continuous
- B. Dichotomous
- C. Nominal
- D. Ordinal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nominal. Central line type is a nominal data structure because it represents categories without any inherent order or ranking. In this study, the central line types (port, PICC, TEC) are distinct categories with no numerical significance or order. They are simply different types of central lines used for medical purposes. Continuous (A) data involves numerical values with infinite possibilities, which is not the case here. Dichotomous (B) data consists of only two categories, while in this study there are three central line types. Ordinal (D) data involves categories with a specific order or ranking, which is not applicable to central line types as they do not have a natural order.
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A 3-month-old female presents to the emergency room with vomiting and abdominal distension. She has a left-side abdominal mass, and an abdominal ultrasound confirms an 8-cm mass arising from the left kidney. Liver lesions are also noted. Nephrectomy is performed and reveals a histologic diagnosis of malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK). Which of the following is not a true statement about the management of this patient?
- A. Most patients with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney present in infancy.
- B. Most patients with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney present with metastatic (stage III or IV) disease.
- C. She has an excellent prognosis with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- D. Germline testing for SMARCB1/INI1 mutation on chromosome 22 is recommended, with brain MRI every 3 months until she is 5 years old, if testing is germline positive for SMARCB1/INI1.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: She has an excellent prognosis with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Rationale:
1. Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis.
2. Even with aggressive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, the prognosis is generally poor due to high rates of recurrence and metastasis.
3. Therefore, stating that the patient has an excellent prognosis with the mentioned treatments is not true.
Summary of other choices:
A: Most patients with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney present in infancy - True, MRTK commonly presents in infancy.
B: Most patients with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney present with metastatic (stage III or IV) disease - True, MRTK often presents with metastatic disease.
D: Germline testing for SMARCB1/INI1 mutation on chromosome 22 is recommended, with brain MRI every 3 months until she is
A newborn infant develops jaundice on day of life 2. Labs are drawn, and she has a hemoglobin of 7.4 g/dL with a reticulocyte count of 8%. Upon peripheral blood smear review, she is found to have bizarre red cell forms with significant polkilocytosis. Although her parents have normal blood counts, on review of their peripheral blood smears, they both have a moderate number of ovalocytes. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the infant's red cell findings?
- A. She has an autosomal dominant ankyrin mutation from one of her parents causing hereditary spherocytosis.
- B. She has inherited band 3 variants from each parent and will likely need a splenectomy after she turns 5 years old.
- C. She has inherited an alpha-spectrin mutation from both of her parents and may experience an improvement in her anemia over time.
- D. She has inherited a PKLR variant from each parent, and enzyme testing will be consistent with her diagnosis of pyruvate kinase deficiency.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the infant's red cell findings of ovalocytes and polikilocytosis are consistent with hereditary elliptocytosis, which is caused by mutations in genes encoding spectrin. In this scenario, the inheritance pattern aligns with the infant receiving an alpha-spectrin mutation from both parents, leading to the observed erythrocyte abnormalities. This condition may improve over time due to compensatory mechanisms.
Choice A (autosomal dominant ankyrin mutation causing hereditary spherocytosis) is incorrect because the clinical presentation and red cell morphology do not support a diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis.
Choice B (inherited band 3 variants and need for splenectomy) is incorrect as the infant's condition does not match the characteristics of hereditary spherocytosis requiring splenectomy.
Choice D (PKLR variant and pyruvate kinase deficiency) is incorrect as the infant's red cell morphology is not indicative
Which of the following will be present in chronic bacterial infection?
- A. Neutrophilia
- B. Basophilia
- C. Lymphocytosis
- D. Monocytosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Monocytosis. In chronic bacterial infections, there is a prolonged immune response leading to an increased production of monocytes to help combat the infection. Neutrophilia (choice A) is more characteristic of acute bacterial infections. Basophilia (choice B) is associated with allergic reactions or certain blood disorders, not typically seen in bacterial infections. Lymphocytosis (choice C) is more common in viral infections or certain immune responses, not specific to chronic bacterial infections.
A nurse is caring for a client who is about to begin taking folic acid to treat megaloblastic anemia. The nurse should monitor which of the following laboratory values to determine therapeutic effectiveness?
- A. Amylase level
- B. Reticulocyte count
- C. C-reactive protein
- D. Creatinine clearance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reticulocyte count. Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells, and monitoring their count can help determine the effectiveness of folic acid in treating megaloblastic anemia. Increased reticulocyte count indicates improved production of red blood cells. Amylase level, C-reactive protein, and creatinine clearance are not directly related to monitoring the effectiveness of folic acid in treating megaloblastic anemia.
An older adult patient is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells after being injured in a car accident. On assessment, the nurse notes a new finding of bounding pulse, crackles, and increasing dyspnea. What should the nurse do first, after stopping the transfusion?
- A. Assess vital signs.
- B. Raise the head of the bed.
- C. Encourage the patient to deep breathe and cough.
- D. Administer pm diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as ordered.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Raise the head of the bed. After stopping the transfusion due to signs of fluid overload, the priority is to alleviate symptoms and improve respiratory function. Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce venous return, decreasing preload and cardiac workload, which can help manage symptoms like dyspnea and crackles. This action promotes better oxygenation and reduces the risk of complications like pulmonary edema. Assessing vital signs (Choice A) is important but not the immediate priority. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing (Choice C) may exacerbate respiratory distress in this situation. Administering diphenhydramine (Choice D) is not indicated for fluid overload.