The Brain Trauma Foundation recommends intracranial pressure monitoring for all of the following patients except those with
- A. GCS of 3 to 8 and abnormal head CT
- B. GCS of 3 to 8 and hypotension
- C. GCS of 3 to 8 and > 40 years old
- D. GCS of 3 to 8 and bradycardia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the Brain Trauma Foundation recommends intracranial pressure monitoring for patients with traumatic brain injury and a GCS of 3 to 8, regardless of the head CT findings. Intracranial pressure monitoring helps in the management of elevated intracranial pressure, which can be life-threatening. Abnormal head CT findings may indicate the need for immediate intervention, but intracranial pressure monitoring is still recommended for all patients in this GCS range to guide treatment decisions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because hypotension, age > 40 years old, and bradycardia are not factors that would exclude a patient from needing intracranial pressure monitoring in the presence of a GCS of 3 to 8.
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Sara S. is a 41-year-old patient who has just had a bone marrow transplant. The AGACNP knows that which medication will be used to decrease her risk of graft-versus-host reaction?
- A. Immune globulin
- B. Cyclosporine
- C. Prophylactic antibiotics
- D. Systemic corticosteroids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Immune globulin. Post bone marrow transplant, immune globulin is used to decrease the risk of graft-versus-host reaction by providing passive immunity. This helps in reducing the chances of the donor's immune cells attacking the recipient's tissues. Immune globulin does not suppress the immune system like cyclosporine (B) or systemic corticosteroids (D) do, which could increase the risk of infections post-transplant. Prophylactic antibiotics (C) are used to prevent infections but do not specifically target graft-versus-host reaction.
Obstructed labor MAINLY results due to
- A. Maternal exhaustion
- B. Cephalopelvic disproportion
- C. Microsomic fetus
- D. Fetal exsanguination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cephalopelvic disproportion. This condition occurs when the baby's head is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis during labor. This leads to obstructed labor, causing complications for both the mother and the baby. Maternal exhaustion (A) may occur as a result of prolonged labor but is not the primary cause of obstructed labor. Microsomic fetus (C) refers to a small baby and would not typically cause obstructed labor. Fetal exsanguination (D) is the loss of blood from the fetus and is not a common cause of obstructed labor. Cephalopelvic disproportion is the most common reason for obstructed labor as it directly affects the passage of the baby through the birth canal.
The fetal head retracting against the perineum is a
- A. Gaskin sign
- B. Turtle sign
- C. Klumpke sign
- D. Chignon sign
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Turtle sign. This occurs when the fetal head retracts against the perineum during delivery, resembling a turtle retracting into its shell. This indicates fetal shoulder dystocia, a serious complication. Gaskin sign (A) refers to the position of the mother during labor. Klumpke sign (C) is related to brachial plexus injuries during delivery. Chignon sign (D) is not a recognized term in obstetrics.
The baby dies immediately after birth due to the presence of
- A. Pulmonary stenosis
- B. Aortic coarctation
- C. Truncus arteriosus
- D. Ductus arteriosus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Truncus arteriosus. In this congenital heart defect, a single large blood vessel arises from the heart instead of the normal two separate vessels (aorta and pulmonary artery). This results in mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, leading to severe cyanosis and inadequate oxygen supply to the body. This condition is incompatible with life, causing immediate death after birth.
A: Pulmonary stenosis and B: Aortic coarctation are also congenital heart defects but do not typically result in immediate death after birth. Pulmonary stenosis obstructs blood flow to the lungs, while aortic coarctation causes narrowing of the aorta.
D: Ductus arteriosus is a normal fetal blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta but usually closes shortly after birth. Failure of closure can lead to health issues, but it is not typically a cause of immediate death after birth.
Which of the following is not a true statement with respect to decision making for a cognitively impaired patient?
- A. Only a court can declare a patient incompetent
- B. Impaired cognition does not make a person incompetent
- C. Living wills typically are honored if a person is terminally ill
- D. A patient can give informed consent if not declared incompetent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because living wills are typically not honored for terminally ill patients with impaired cognition. Firstly, living wills require the patient to be of sound mind to make decisions. Secondly, in the case of a cognitively impaired patient, their ability to express their wishes and understand the implications may be compromised. Therefore, healthcare providers may not be able to honor the living will accurately. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because A) competency can be determined by healthcare professionals, B) impaired cognition can lead to incompetence, and D) informed consent requires the patient to understand the decision-making process.