A client is admitted to the hospital with suspected rheumatic endocarditis. Which of the following laboratory tests would assist in confirming the diagnosis?
Liver enzymes
Serum albumin
Throat culture
Arterial blood gases
The Correct Answer is C
Title: Choice A reason: Liver enzymes Liver enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your body. They include alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). High levels of liver enzymes in the blood can indicate liver disease. However, rheumatic endocarditis is a heart condition, not a liver condition. Therefore, while liver enzymes are important for diagnosing liver conditions, they would not assist in confirming a diagnosis of rheumatic endocarditis.
Title: Choice B reason: Serum albumin Serum albumin is a type of protein that your liver and kidneys produce to help your body maintain fluid balance and function. Low or high albumin levels can indicate liver disease, kidney disease, or nutritional deficiency. However, rheumatic endocarditis is a heart condition, not a liver or kidney condition. Therefore, while serum albumin is important for diagnosing liver and kidney conditions, it would not assist in confirming a diagnosis of rheumatic endocarditis.
Title: Choice C reason: Throat culture A throat culture is a lab test used to find and identify germs in the back of your mouth that are making you sick. It can diagnose infections like strep throat, gonorrhea, thrush, diphtheria, and pertussis. Rheumatic endocarditis is often caused by a streptococcal infection, which can be identified through a throat culture. Therefore, a throat culture would assist in confirming a diagnosis of rheumatic endocarditis.
Title: Choice D reason: Arterial blood gases An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood as well as the pH balance in your blood. It helps diagnose and monitor conditions that affect your respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic systems. However, rheumatic endocarditis is a heart condition that is often caused by a bacterial infection. Therefore, while an ABG test is important for diagnosing conditions that affect your respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic systems, it would not assist in confirming a diagnosis of rheumatic endocarditis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason:Placing the client in a sitting position helps to lower blood pressure by promoting venous return and is the first action to take in cases of autonomic dysreflexia²³.
Choice B reason:While examining for skin breakdown is important, it is not the first action to take when autonomic dysreflexia is suspected.
Choice C reason:Checking the bladder for distention is a critical step, but it should be done after positioning the client to address immediate blood pressure concerns.
Choice D reason:Checking for fecal impaction is also important but follows the initial step of positioning the client to manage blood pressure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: A distended bladder is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia. It can trigger an exaggerated response from the autonomic nervous system, leading to a rapid increase in blood pressure. This is because the full bladder sends signals to the spinal cord, which then attempts to send signals to the brain. However, due to the injury, these signals cannot pass through, resulting in a reflex that increases blood pressure.
Choice B reason: While a severe headache is a symptom of autonomic dysreflexia, it is not a cause. The headache results from the body's response to a triggering stimulus, such as a distended bladder, which leads to the high blood pressure characteristic of autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice C reason: Nasal congestion is not typically a cause of autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is usually triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of the spinal cord injury, such as a full bladder or bowel, skin irritation, or other types of physical discomfort.
Choice D reason: Elevated blood pressure is a symptom, not a cause, of autonomic dysreflexia. The condition itself causes a sudden spike in blood pressure due to an uncontrolled reflex sympathetic discharge in response to a triggering stimulus below the level of the injury.
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