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 ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Herpes zoster lesions are indeed contagious if they are draining. The virus can spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters. It is crucial to cover the lesions to prevent spreading the virus to others, especially to those who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine.
Choice B reason:
The development of vesicles, which are small fluid-filled blisters, is a hallmark of herpes zoster. These vesicles typically appear in a band-like pattern on one side of the body and are often accompanied by pain, itching, or tingling before they are visible.
Choice C reason:
Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition where the pain persists in the area of the herpes zoster rash even after the lesions have healed. This can last for weeks, months, or even years and is more common in older adults.
Choice D reason:
Herpes zoster itself is not spread like chickenpox. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which has been lying dormant in the nerve cells, reactivates. While it is possible for someone who has never had chickenpox to develop chickenpox after direct contact with a shingles rash, herpes zoster is not "easily spread" to others in the same way that chickenpox is.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
The Mantoux test, also known as the tuberculin skin test, is used to detect latent TB infection but is not the most reliable for confirming active pulmonary TB. It can indicate if someone has been infected with TB bacteria, but it cannot differentiate between latent and active TB.
Choice B reason:
A sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus is the gold standard for diagnosing active pulmonary TB. It involves culturing a sample of sputum (phlegm) to see if TB bacteria grow, which confirms the diagnosis. This test is the most definitive and reliable method, although it may take several weeks to obtain results.
Choice C reason:
A sputum smear can detect TB bacteria in sputum samples quickly, but it is less sensitive than a culture. It can miss cases, especially if the bacterial load is low. Therefore, while useful for initial screening, it is not as reliable as a culture for confirming active TB.
Choice D reason:
A chest x-ray can show signs suggestive of TB, such as infiltrates or cavities in the lungs, but it cannot confirm the presence of TB bacteria. It is a supportive diagnostic tool but not definitive for active TB diagnosis.
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