A patient who was admitted after an open aortofemoral bypass for claudication at rest has a hemoglobin A1C of 8.9. The patient admits having poor control of blood glucose levels and is scared to use insulin as directed because of a few episodes of hypoglycemi
Answer(s): B
A patient with history of hypothyroidism is admitted with severe confusion and nonpitting edem
Answer(s): D
The patient has signs of myxedema coma, a life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism. The patient needs immediate treatment with thyroid hormone replacement, glucocorticoids, and supportive care. One of the supportive measures is to correct the hypothermia that often accompanies myxedema coma. A forced air warming blanket is a device that delivers warm air through a hose to a blanket that covers the patient. This helps to raise the patient's core temperature and prevent further complications. Insulin drip is not indicated, as the patient does not have diabetes or hyperglycemia. 3% saline is a hypertonic solution that can worsen the hyponatremia and fluid overload that are common in myxedema coma. Diuretics are not recommended, as they can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in the patient.
Myxedema Coma: Diagnosis and Treatment | AAFPMyxedema coma - UpToDateMyxedema: Symptoms, treatment & coma - Medical News Today
Which of the following signs is most frequently associated with meningitis?
Answer(s): C
A positive Kernig's sign is a clinical test for meningitis that involves flexing the hip and knee of the patient and then extending the knee. If the patient feels pain or resistance in the lower back or hamstring, the test is positive. A positive Kernig's sign indicates irritation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. A positive Trousseau's sign is a sign of hypocalcemia that involves carpal spasm after inflating a blood pressure cuff. A positive Cullen's sign is a sign of retroperitoneal bleeding that involves bruising around the umbilicus. A positive Babinski's sign is a sign of upper motor neuron lesion that involves fanning of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked.
Kernig's sign - WikipediaTrousseau's sign - WikipediaCullen's sign - WikipediaBabinski sign - Wikipedia
A patient with a left ventricular assist device has been hospitalized for 5 days. A nurse notes anasarca and skin breakdown over multiple pressure points. When addressing the patient's nutritional needs, which of the following should the nurse consider?
Answer(s): A
Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) is a condition that occurs when the body does not get enough protein and calories to meet its needs. PCM can affect the immune system, wound healing, and organ function. Patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are at risk of PCM due to increased metabolic demands, fluid retention, inflammation, and poor appetite. Edema, or swelling, is a common sign of fluid overload in patients with LVADs. However, edema can also mask the physical signs of PCM, such as muscle wasting, weight loss, and skin changes. Therefore, the nurse should consider edema as a potential factor that can interfere with the assessment of the patient's nutritional status. Other methods to evaluate the patient's nutritional needs include laboratory tests, dietary intake, and body mass index. The nurse should also collaborate with a dietitian to provide appropriate nutritional interventions for the patient, such as oral supplements, enteral feeding, or parenteral nutrition.
Caring for patients with a left ventricular assist device, page 28. Ventricular assist device (VAD) - Mayo Clinic, under "Why it's done". Preoperative Nutritional Optimization and Physical Exercise for ..., under "Introduction". Obesity in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure and Left Ventricular ..., under "Introduction".
Which of the following is a sign of brain death?
A negative apnea test means that the patient does not breathe spontaneously when disconnected from the ventilator and exposed to a high level of carbon dioxide, which normally stimulates breathing. A negative apnea test is one of the criteria for brain death, as it indicates the loss of brainstem function. A positive vestibulo-ocular reflex, also known as the oculocephalic or doll's eye reflex, means that the eyes move in the opposite direction of the head when the head is turned. A positive cough reflex means that the patient coughs when the trachea is stimulated. A negative cold caloric test means that the eyes do not move when cold water is injected into the ear canal. All these tests assess the integrity of the brainstem, and a positive result would exclude brain death.Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Diagnosis of brain death - UpToDate, under "Apnea testing". Brain Death | Critical Care Medicine | JAMA | JAMA Network, under "How Is Brain Death Diagnosed?".The 2023 AAN/AAP/CNS/SCCM Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by ..., under "Apnea Testing".
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