A nurse is assessing a client who reports a nevus that has increased in size and an irregularly shaped lesion that varies in color. These findings are consistent with which of the following medical diagnoses?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Malignant melanoma
Kaposi's sarcoma
Basal cell carcinoma
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Squamous cell carcinoma typically presents as a rough, scaly, red patch, open sore, or raised growth with a central depression, often on sun-exposed areas of the body. While it can appear as a lesion that varies in color, it is not commonly associated with a nevus that has increased in size.
Choice B reason:
Malignant melanoma is associated with changes in preexisting nevi, such as an increase in size and variations in color. It often appears as a mole that changes in color, size, or feel and may have irregular edges. The description of the lesion provided by the client is characteristic of malignant melanoma, making this the correct diagnosis.
Choice C reason:
Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels and typically appears as patches of abnormal tissue on the skin or mucous membranes. These lesions are usually red or purple and look similar to bruises¹. They are not typically described as nevi that increase in size or lesions that vary in color.
Choice D reason:
Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin, though it can take other forms. It usually presents as a pearly white or pink bump on white skin, or a brown or black bump on darker skin, and is most often found on sun-exposed areas. It is not typically associated with a nevus that has increased in size or an irregularly shaped lesion that varies in color.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate, is not typically associated with diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus primarily affects the kidneys and fluid balance in the body, leading to frequent urination and thirst but not directly affecting heart rate.
Choice B reason:
Moist mucous membranes are not expected in diabetes insipidus. In fact, due to excessive urination, a person with diabetes insipidus is more likely to experience dry mucous membranes from dehydration unless they are adequately hydrating.
Choice C reason:
Urine specific gravity 1.002 is a key finding in diabetes insipidus. This condition is characterized by the excretion of large amounts of dilute urine with low specific gravity. Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.005 to 1.030⁴. A value of 1.002 indicates very dilute urine, which is consistent with the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine in diabetes insipidus.
Choice D reason:
Bounding peripheral pulses are not a finding associated with diabetes insipidus. Bounding pulses may be associated with other conditions such as fever, anemia, or hyperthyroidism but not typically with diabetes insipidus.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue, which can lead to its enlargement. While hyperplasia can be a response to a stimulus and is not necessarily precancerous, it does not describe the abnormal changes in the shape, size, and organization of mature cells.
Choice B reason:
Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one differentiated cell type is replaced by another cell type. This process can be a response to chronic irritation and inflammation, and while it may predispose cells to cancerous changes, it is not in itself a precancerous condition.
Choice C reason:
The term 'malignant' refers to cancerous cells that have the ability to invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. The description of the cells as 'moderately abnormal' does not indicate that the cells are malignant but rather that they are showing signs of potentially precancerous changes.
Choice D reason:
Dysplasia refers to the presence of abnormal cells within a tissue or organ. It is characterized by changes in cell size, shape, uniformity, arrangement, and structure, particularly when such changes are strongly suggestive of developing neoplasia, or new, abnormal growth. In the context of a Pap smear, dysplasia is indicative of precancerous changes and is the term used to describe the abnormal development of cells on the cervix.
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