Nokea
Which of the following is the most critical intervention needed for a client with myxedema coma?
- A. Administering an oral dose of levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- B. Warming the client with a warming blanket
- C. Measuring and recording accurate intake and output
- D. Maintaining a patent airway
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Myxedema coma is a severe form of hypothyroidism that can lead to life-threatening complications, including decreased level of consciousness, hypothermia, respiratory depression, and cardiovascular collapse. Rapid administration of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, such as levothyroxine, is crucial in the management of myxedema coma to reverse the underlying hypothyroid state and improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, administering an oral dose of levothyroxine is the most critical intervention needed for a client with myxedema coma. While warming the client with a warming blanket, measuring intake and output, and maintaining a patent airway are important aspects of care, they are not as directly related to the reversal of the underlying hypothyroid state in myxedema coma as administering levothyroxine.
You may also like to solve these questions
You have the results of PCR tests for Mycoplasma pneumoniae; the number of positive tests is 83 collected from a 100 truly-infected persons. The sensitivity of this test is
- A. 17%
- B. 55%
- C. 60%
- D. 83%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sensitivity = (True positives / Truly infected) * 100 = (83 / 100) * 100 = 83%.
A client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is receiving zidovudine (azidothymidine, AZT [Retrovir]). To check for adverse drug effects, the nurse should monitor the results of laboratory test?
- A. RBC count
- B. Serum calcium
- C. Fasting blood glucose
- D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Zidovudine (azidothymidine, AZT [Retrovir]) is an antiretroviral medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. One of the potential adverse effects of zidovudine is bone marrow suppression, which can lead to decreased production of blood cells including platelets. Monitoring the platelet count is essential because a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) can result in an increased risk of bleeding and bruising. Therefore, regular monitoring of platelet count is crucial to detect and manage this potential adverse effect promptly in patients receiving zidovudine therapy. Monitoring other laboratory tests such as RBC count, serum calcium, and fasting blood glucose may also be important for assessing overall health status, but platelet count monitoring takes priority due to the risk of thrombocytopenia associated with zidovudine therapy.
During a routine checkup, the nurse assesses a client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) for signs and symptoms of cancer. What is the common AIDS-related cancer?
- A. Squamous cell carcinoma
- B. Leukemia
- C. Multiple myeloma
- D. Kaposi's sarcoma
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common AIDS-related cancer. It is a type of cancer that usually appears as lesions on the skin, mouth, or internal organs. Kaposi's sarcoma is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and is more likely to develop in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS. The risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma is higher in people with HIV/AIDS due to the weakened immune system's inability to fight off infections and certain cancers. Regular assessment for signs and symptoms of Kaposi's sarcoma is important in people living with AIDS in order to detect and treat it early.
Once admitted to hospital the physician indicates that Mr. Gubatan is a paraplegic. The family asks the nurse what that means. The nurse explains that:
- A. Upper extremities are paralyzed
- B. Both lower and upper extremities are
- C. Lower extremities are paralyzed paralyzed
- D. One side of the body is paralyzed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Paraplegia is a condition characterized by the paralysis of both lower extremities. It does not affect the upper extremities or one side of the body specifically. When someone is described as a paraplegic, it means they have lost function and sensation in their lower limbs, usually due to a spinal cord injury or disease affecting the lower part of the spinal cord. This term helps provide a specific understanding of the type and location of the paralysis in the body.
The nurse is caring for a newborn who was born 24 hours ago to a mother who received no prenatal care. The newborn is a poor feeder but sucks avidly on his hands. Clinical manifestations also include loose stools, tachycardia, fever, projectile vomiting, sneezing, and generalized sweating. Which should the nurse suspect?
- A. Seizure disorder
- B. Narcotic withdrawal
- C. Placental insufficiency
- D. Meconium aspiration syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The clinical manifestations described in the scenario are classic signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which occurs in newborns who were exposed to drugs, particularly narcotics, in utero. The newborn's symptoms of poor feeding, sucking on his hands, tachycardia, fever, projectile vomiting, loose stools, sneezing, and generalized sweating are consistent with NAS. These symptoms occur as the newborn experiences withdrawal from the drugs to which they were exposed during pregnancy. In this case, the lack of prenatal care suggests that the mother may have used narcotics during pregnancy, leading to NAS in the newborn. It is essential for healthcare providers to recognize these signs and provide appropriate care and support for infants experiencing NAS.