A client with a temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) and a rash is being evaluated. Which condition should the nurse consider?
Meningococcal meningitis.
Urinary tract infection.
Gastroenteritis.
Osteoarthritis.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Meningococcal meningitis can present with a high fever (39°C or 102.2°F) and a rash, indicating a severe bacterial infection.
Choice B rationale
Urinary tract infections typically present with urinary symptoms, not a rash.
Choice C rationale
Gastroenteritis presents with gastrointestinal symptoms, not a rash.
Choice D rationale
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and does not cause fever or rash.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Decreased breath sounds in the lower lobes can indicate areas of the lung that are not ventilating well, but this finding alone does not specifically indicate an exacerbation of COPD. It could be due to other conditions such as pleural effusion or atelectasis.
Choice B rationale
Increased respiratory rate and use of accessory muscles are signs of respiratory distress and indicate that the patient is working harder to breathe. These findings are consistent with an exacerbation of COPD, where the airways are more obstructed, and the patient has difficulty maintaining adequate ventilation.
Choice C rationale
Elevated blood pressure and heart rate can occur in many conditions and are not specific indicators of a COPD exacerbation. These vital sign changes can be due to pain, anxiety, or other stressors.
Choice D rationale
Presence of wheezing and cyanosis are also indicators of a COPD exacerbation. Wheezing indicates airway obstruction, and cyanosis indicates hypoxemia, both of which are common during an exacerbation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Elevated blood ammonia levels are a common consequence of liver dysfunction, particularly in conditions like cirrhosis and alcoholic liver disease. The liver is responsible for converting ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, into urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys. When the liver is damaged, it cannot effectively perform this function, leading to elevated blood ammonia levels. High ammonia levels can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause hepatic encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, memory loss, and asterixis (a flapping tremor of the hands). These neurological symptoms are consistent with the patient’s presentation.
Choice B rationale
An increased white blood cell count typically indicates an infection or inflammation. While infections can occur in patients with liver disease due to a compromised immune system, the symptoms described (increased blood glucose, blurred vision, memory loss, and asterixis) are more indicative of hepatic encephalopathy rather than an infection.
Choice C rationale
Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can occur in liver disease, but they are more commonly associated with kidney dysfunction. BUN is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea. While liver dysfunction can affect BUN levels, the symptoms described are more specifically related to elevated ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice D rationale
A decreased platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, is a common finding in liver disease due to splenic sequestration and decreased production of thrombopoietin. However, thrombocytopenia does not directly cause the neurological symptoms described in the patient. The symptoms of increased blood glucose, blurred vision, memory loss, and asterixis are more specifically related to elevated ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.