A patient is being admitted with a diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. Which findings will the nurse expect during the assessment?
Purplish streaks on the abdomen
Chronically low blood pressure
Bronzed appearance of the skin
Decreased axillary and pubic hair
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Purplish streaks on the abdomen are also known as striae. They are caused by the thinning and weakening of the skin due to excess cortisol, a hormone that is elevated in Cushing syndrome. Striae are a common sign of Cushing syndrome, along with weight gain, moon face, and buffalo hump.
Choice B reason: Chronically low blood pressure is not associated with Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome can cause high blood pressure, due to the effects of cortisol on the cardiovascular system. Low blood pressure can be a sign of adrenal insufficiency, which is the opposite of Cushing syndrome.
Choice C reason: Bronzed appearance of the skin is not related to Cushing syndrome. Bronzed skin can be a sign of Addison's disease, which is a condition of low cortisol and low aldosterone. Addison's disease can cause hyperpigmentation of the skin, especially in the areas exposed to sun, such as the face, neck, and hands.
Choice D reason: Decreased axillary and pubic hair is also not related to Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome can cause increased hair growth, especially on the face, chest, and back. This is due to the androgenic effects of cortisol. Decreased hair growth can be a sign of hypothyroidism, which is a condition of low thyroid hormone.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is false. 3% Sodium Chloride is a hypertonic solution that can cause fluid overload, hypernatremia, and cellular dehydration. It is not indicated for a patient with nausea, vomiting, and Salmonella infection, who is likely to have fluid and electrolyte losses.
Choice B reason: This statement is false. Dextrose 10% in water is a hypotonic solution that can cause fluid shifts, hyponatremia, and cellular edema. It is not indicated for a patient with nausea, vomiting, and Salmonella infection, who is likely to have fluid and electrolyte losses.
Choice C reason: This statement is true. 0.9% Sodium Chloride with 40 mEq Potassium (KCl) is an isotonic solution that can maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. It is indicated for a patient with nausea, vomiting, and Salmonella infection, who is likely to have fluid and electrolyte losses, especially sodium and potassium.
Choice D reason: This statement is false. Lactated Ringers is an isotonic solution that can maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, but it also contains lactate, which can be converted to bicarbonate in the liver. It is not indicated for a patient with nausea, vomiting, and Salmonella infection, who may have metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea and lactate accumulation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This statement is false. Asking the patient about home insulin doses is not the action that the nurse should take first. Insulin is a hormone that lowers the blood glucose level and can also lower the blood potassium level by driving potassium into the cells. However, this is not the primary cause of hypokalemia, or low blood potassium level, which can be due to other factors such as diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, or alkalosis.
Choice B reason: This statement is true. Administering IV potassium supplements is the action that the nurse should take first. Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for the normal function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Hypokalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and paralysis. IV potassium supplements can restore the blood potassium level and prevent life-threatening complications.
Choice C reason: This statement is false. Placing the patient on a cardiac monitor is not the action that the nurse should take first. A cardiac monitor is a device that records the electrical activity of the heart and can detect any abnormal rhythms or conduction problems. It is a useful tool for monitoring the patient's cardiac status, but it does not treat the underlying cause of hypokalemia.
Choice D reason: This statement is false. Starting an insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/h is not the action that the nurse should take first. Insulin infusion is a method of delivering insulin continuously through a pump or a catheter. It is used for patients with diabetes who need tight glucose control. It can also lower the blood potassium level by driving potassium into the cells. However, this is not t
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