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 value or order. It's important to distinguish between the different types of central lines, but they cannot be ordered in a meaningful sequence, making them nominal.
Incorrect answers:
A: Continuous - Central line type does not have a continuous range of values, it is categorical.
B: Dichotomous - Dichotomous data structure has only two categories, while central line type has more than two distinct categories.
D: Ordinal - Ordinal data structure involves categories with a clear order or ranking, which is not applicable to central line types as they do not have a natural order.
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A 13-year-old Hispanic girl is found to have a WBC count of 6,500/mm3 with 40% Auer rod–containing granular blasts that, by flow cytometry, express very bright CD33 but are negative for human leukocyte antigen–DR isotype (HLA-DR). She is oozing blood around her peripheral IV site. Coagulation studies reveal an international normalized ratio (INR) of 3.4, a fibrinogen of 170, and a markedly elevated D-dimer. Marrow aspirate shows nearly 90% blasts with a similar morphology. You send the marrow to the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) lab and request STAT testing for the most likely recurrent genetic abnormality based on the clinical presentation. How do you plan to initiate therapy?
- A. Perform a lumbar puncture to determine leukemic involvement, then proceed with induction chemotherapy.
- B. Begin therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) immediately while aggressively managing coagulopathy with blood product support.
- C. Start dexamethasone and hydroxyurea immediately while aggressively managing coagulopathy with blood product support.
- D. Start induction chemotherapy, obtain HLA typing, and start a donor search because of the poor prognosis associated with this leukemic phenotype.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Begin therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) immediately while aggressively managing coagulopathy with blood product support. The patient's presentation is consistent with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), indicated by the presence of Auer rod-containing blasts, very bright CD33 expression, and coagulopathy (elevated INR, low fibrinogen, elevated D-dimer). APL is associated with a specific genetic abnormality involving the PML-RARA fusion gene. ATRA is the mainstay of induction therapy for APL as it induces differentiation of leukemic promyelocytes. Aggressive management of coagulopathy is crucial to prevent life-threatening bleeding complications.
Incorrect answers:
A: Performing a lumbar puncture is not necessary at this stage as the patient's symptoms and laboratory findings point towards APL, not central nervous system involvement.
C: Dexamethasone and hydroxyurea are not
Splenectomy is curative in:
- A. G6PD def.
- B. ITP
- C. thalassemia
- D. hereditary spherocytosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: Splenectomy is curative in hereditary spherocytosis because it removes the site of red blood cell destruction. The spleen is responsible for filtering out abnormal or damaged red blood cells in this condition. Removing the spleen stops the destruction of spherocytes, leading to an improvement in anemia.
Summary of other choices:
A: G6PD def. - Splenectomy does not address the underlying enzyme deficiency causing hemolysis.
B: ITP - Splenectomy is used in refractory cases of ITP, but not considered curative.
C: Thalassemia - Splenectomy can be used to manage complications in thalassemia but does not cure the underlying genetic defect.
Thrombocytopenia is absent in:
- A. DIC
- B. Wiskott Aldrich syndrome
- C. Henoch Schonlein purpura
- D. myelosclerosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is absent in Henoch Schonlein purpura because it is primarily a vasculitis affecting small blood vessels, not directly causing platelet destruction. Thrombocytopenia is present in DIC due to widespread coagulation activation. Wiskott Aldrich syndrome and myelosclerosis both involve platelet dysfunction or decreased production, leading to thrombocytopenia.
A nurse is caring for a client who has hemophilia A and is about to begin taking desmopressin to prevent bleeding. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse reactions?
- A. Weight loss
- B. Edema
- C. Polyuria
- D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Edema. Desmopressin is a synthetic form of vasopressin that can cause fluid retention, leading to edema. This is a common adverse reaction associated with desmopressin use. Weight loss (choice A) is not a typical adverse reaction of desmopressin. Polyuria (choice C) is actually a desired effect of desmopressin, as it helps to concentrate urine. Bradycardia (choice D) is not directly associated with desmopressin use. Monitoring for edema is important to ensure the client's safety and adjust treatment as needed.
A leukemia investigator plans to obtain bone marrow under general anesthesia to measure minimal residual disease (MRD) and to see if this time point can predict early relapse. The specimen will be obtained at a time point when otherwise no bone marrow would be sampled. The results are not shared with the treating oncologist, and no therapeutic interventions are decided or based on the results. Which of the following statements is most accurate about this intervention?
- A. It constitutes a minimal-risk procedure because bone marrow assessments are considered routine for patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- B. It constitutes a minimal-risk procedure because it is a single additional procedure being performed during the course of treatment.
- C. It constitutes a greater than minimal-risk procedure because it is being done under general anesthesia.
- D. It is justifiable because future patients may benefit from knowledge gained by the research.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because obtaining bone marrow under general anesthesia carries inherent risks that make it greater than minimal-risk. Here's a step-by-step rationale:
1. General anesthesia poses risks such as allergic reactions, breathing problems, and potential complications, making the procedure more than minimal-risk.
2. Even though bone marrow assessments are routine for leukemia patients, the use of general anesthesia elevates the risk level.
3. The fact that the results are not shared with the treating oncologist and no therapeutic interventions are based on them indicates that the procedure is solely for research purposes, emphasizing the risk-benefit analysis.
4. Choice A is incorrect because the use of general anesthesia increases the procedure's risk level beyond routine.
5. Choice B is incorrect as the focus should be on the inherent risks of general anesthesia, not just the number of procedures performed.
6. Choice D is irrelevant to the risk assessment of the specific procedure and does not address the immediate safety concerns associated with general anesthesia.