NCLEX-RN : Other Conditions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX-RN

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Example Questions

Example Question #131 : Conditions And Treatments

Which of the following physical exam findings would you expect to find in a patient who overdosed on heroin?

Possible Answers:

Deep breathing, low respiratory rate, dilated pupils

Shallow breathing, fast respiratory rate, pin-point pupils

Deep breathing, fast respiratory rate, dilated pupils

Shallow breathing, normal respiratory rate, dilated pupils

Shallow breathing, low respiratory rate, pin-point pupils

Correct answer:

Shallow breathing, low respiratory rate, pin-point pupils

Explanation:

Opioid (heroin) overdose is marked by a decreased respiratory drive, shallow breathing, and pin-point pupils. Treatment is with naloxone and reverses overdose quickly. Heroin overdoses can be fatal if untreated because of the respiratory depression.

Example Question #132 : Conditions And Treatments

A patient arrives to the ER in a comatose state. He is shallowly breathing, appears disheveled, and has pin-point pupils. There are track marks on his right arm and it appears swollen. Which of the following conditions does this patient likely have?

Possible Answers:

Alcohol overdose

Benzodiazepene overdose

Opioid overdose

Anticholinergic overdose

Aspirin overdose

Correct answer:

Opioid overdose

Explanation:

This patient likely has opioid (heroin) overdose. Common signs of overdose include: altered mental states, decreased respiratory rate and effort, and pin-point pupils. Treatment includes inhalation of naltrexone to remove the opioids off their receptors in the body. Additionally, track marks are a sign that the patient injects heroin.

Example Question #933 : Nclex

A 23 year old female comes in for urinary frequency and dysuria. This morning she noticed that her urine seemed slightly "tea" colored. On UA the nurse sees a large amount of leukocyte esterase, moderate red blood cells, and a pH of 9.5. On lab analysis a Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria with swarming motility is cultured out of her urine sample.

If the organism identified in this patient's urine sample is Proteus mirabilis, which of the following would be the appropriate treatment?

Possible Answers:

A 14 day course of ampicillin or cefalexin

A 3 day course of either oral quinolone or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ)

A 10- to 21-day course of oral quinolone or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ)

A 21 day course of ampicillin or cefalexin

Correct answer:

A 3 day course of either oral quinolone or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ)

Explanation:

The first-line treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infection with Proteus mirabilis is a 3 day course of either oral quinolone or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ). 10-21 day courses are only appropriate in patients with complicated UTI or co-infections. Ampicillin and cefalexin are poor choices for initial treatment due to a 10-20% rate of resistance in Proteus species.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Other Conditions

A 23 year old female comes in for urinary frequency and dysuria. This morning she noticed that her urine seemed slightly "tea" colored. On urinalysis the nurse sees a large amount of leukocyte esterase, moderate red blood cells, and a pH of 9.5. On lab analysis a Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria with swarming motility is cultured out of her urine sample.

This individual is most likely experiencing a urinary tract infection (UTI) due to which of the following organisms?

Possible Answers:

Staphylococcus saprophyticus 

Escherichia coli

Staphylococcus aureus

Proteus mirabillis

Correct answer:

Proteus mirabillis

Explanation:

While all of the organisms listed are capable of causing UTI's, Staphylococcus species are all Gram-positive. Escherichia coliwhile responsible for 75-95% of all UTI's, would not result in a urinary pH of 9.5. The high alkalinity of this patient's urine suggest a urea-splitting bacteria such as Proteus

Example Question #134 : Conditions And Treatments

A 23 year old female comes in for urinary frequency and dysuria. This morning she noticed that her urine seemed slightly "tea" colored. On UA the nurse sees a large amount of leukocyte esterase, moderate red blood cells, and a pH of 9.5. On lab analysis a Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria with swarming motility is cultured out of her urine sample.

In the case of chronic Proteus mirabilis infection, which of the following is a common sequelae?

Possible Answers:

Infertility

Bladder cancer

Renal calculi 

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Correct answer:

Renal calculi 

Explanation:

Due to its production of urease, Proteus mirabilis infection results in alkalinization of urine (as urease hydrolyzes urea to produce ammonia). This can cause the formation of calcium, struvite, or apatite crystals in the urine, which may form renal calculi. 

P. mirabilis is not associated with increased risk for infertility, PID, or bladder cancer. 

Example Question #131 : Conditions And Treatments

You are the nurse taking care of a 21-year old female who complains of two days dysuria, that over the last 24 hours has been accompanied by fever, chills, and lower back pain. Her physical exam is remarkable for right-sided costovertebral angle tenderness. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Possible Answers:

Pyelonephritis

Pneumothorax

Spinal stenosis

Primary syphilis

Genital herpes

Correct answer:

Pyelonephritis

Explanation:

The correct answer is "pyelonephritis." This is the correct answer because the patient's presentation with dysuria that progresses to include fever, chills, and lower back pain, is a very classic presentation of pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is an infection of the renal parenchyma, most commonly due to an ascending urinary tract infection. In this patient, who is a female (which places her at a greater risk for UTI's as compared to males due to females having shorter urethras than males) who initially has dysuria, this is a convincing story for a UTI. Further, the fact that the symptoms of fever, chills, and lower back pain are not present initially with the dysuria, but develop over the next day, is further evidence that pyelonephritis is the likely diagnosis. The physical exam finding of unilateral costovertebral angle tenderness also is highly suggestive of pyelonephritis. 

The other choices are incorrect. Spinal stenosis is not a common diagnosis in young, otherwise healthy patients, and would not account for dysuria and unilteral costovertebral angle tenderness. A pneumothorax would not cause dysuria and would likely present with shortness of breath. Primary syphilis and genital herpes would not account for dysuria, lower back pain, or costovertebral angle tenderness.

Example Question #131 : Conditions And Treatments

A 32-year old male presents to his primary care physician's office complaining of a 2-cm painless chancre on the glans of his penis. He denies any other bodily aches or pains, any penile discharge, dysuria, fevers, chills, or other skin rashes. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Possible Answers:

Gonorrhea

Primary syphilis

Genital herpes

Urinary tract infection

Chlamydia

Correct answer:

Primary syphilis

Explanation:

The correct answer is "primary syphilis." This is the correct answer as the classic presentation of primary syphilis is a painless chancre found on the base, shaft, or glans of the penis. The other choices are incorrect. A urinary tract infection would not present with a chancre, and would typically present with dysuria. Chlamydia or gonorrhea would typically present with penile discharge in males, not a painless chancre. Genital herpes would typically present with one or multiple painful ulcers on the penis, not a single painless chancre.

Example Question #941 : Nclex

Eye lubricants are used for all but the following:
Possible Answers:
To achieve miosis during eye surgery
To moisten contact lenses or artificial eyes
To replace tears or add moisture to eyes
To protect the eyes during surgery or diagnostic procedures
Correct answer: To achieve miosis during eye surgery
Explanation: Eye lubricants are not used to achieve miosis during eye surgery. Eye lubricants are frequently used to treat dry eyes in cases where tears need to be replaced, to moisten contact lenses, or to protect eyes during surgery.

Example Question #135 : Conditions And Treatments

Which of the following is part of a standard treatment plan for a diagnosis of stage I Lyme disease?
Possible Answers:
Administration of oral antibiotics
Administration of intravenous antibiotics
A topical antihistamine to reduce symptoms
No treatment unless the disease progresses to stage II or stage III
Correct answer: A topical antihistamine to reduce symptoms
Explanation: Stage 1 is called early localized Lyme disease. The infection is not yet widespread throughout the body. This is treated with a topical antihistamine to reduce symptoms.

Example Question #941 : Nclex

Which of the following is considered to be a normal age-related ocular degeneration?

Possible Answers:

Cataracts

Glaucoma

Presbyopia

Blepharitis

Correct answer:

Presbyopia

Explanation:

Presbyopia, or farsightedness, is caused by a loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye, and is considered a normal change with aging.

Glaucoma, blepharitis, and cataracts all carry increased risk with advanced age, but are considered to be abnormal and/or pathological changes.

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