An adult client presents with gnawing epigastric pain. The pain is worse when the client is hungry and abates after eating something. Which problem do these symptoms suggest?
Chronic pancreatitis.
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
Esophagitis.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
Chronic pancreatitis is incorrect. Chronic pancreatitis typically presents with persistent, dull abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, often aggravated by eating rather than relieved by it. The pain associated with chronic pancreatitis is not typically described as gnawing or relieved by eating.
Choice B Reason:
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is correct. Peptic ulcer disease involves the development of open sores (ulcers) in the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers) or the upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers). The pain associated with PUD typically occurs in the epigastric region (upper abdomen) and can be described as gnawing, burning, or dull. The pain tends to worsen when the stomach is empty (hunger pains) and is relieved by eating or taking antacids. These symptoms are due to the increase in gastric acid secretion, which exacerbates the ulcer's irritation when the stomach is empty and is neutralized when food buffers the acid. Therefore, the presentation described is consistent with peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
Choice C Reason:
Esophagitis is incorrect. Esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus and may present with symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or chest pain behind the breastbone. However, the symptoms described, particularly the worsening of pain when hungry and improvement after eating, are not typical of esophagitis.
Choice D Reason:
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is incorrect. While gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause epigastric discomfort or heartburn, the symptoms described in the scenario are more indicative of pain related to hunger and relief after eating, which is more characteristic of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Additionally, GERD symptoms are typically worsened by eating, lying down, or bending over, rather than improved.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
This option can help minimize clothing-related artifacts that may interfere with auscultation. Ensuring that the stethoscope is in direct contact with the skin allows for better transmission of sounds
Choice B Reason:
Ensuring the room is as quiet as possible is appropriate. Background noise can interfere with the clarity of auscultatory sounds. Ensuring a quiet environment helps reduce external interference and improves the nurse's ability to accurately hear and interpret the sounds.
Choice C Reason:
Keeping the examination room warm, and warm the stethoscope is appropriate. Cold temperatures can cause vasoconstriction and muscle tension, leading to increased tension in the skin and subcutaneous tissues, which may affect the quality of auscultatory sounds. Keeping the examination room warm and warming the stethoscope helps minimize this effect, ensuring clearer auscultation.
Choice D Reason:
Document the roaring and crackles is inappropriate. Documenting auscultatory findings such as roaring and crackles is important for clinical assessment and documentation but does not mitigate artifacts during auscultation. It is crucial to focus on optimizing the auscultation environment and technique to ensure accurate interpretation of sounds.
Choice E Reason:
Wetting the chest hair before auscultating is appropriate. Chest hair can create friction and produce artifacts during auscultation, particularly when using a stethoscope. Wetting the chest hair helps reduce friction and minimize artifacts, allowing for clearer auscultatory sounds.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Coronary heart disease is incorrect. Coronary heart disease is primarily associated with cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. While some nail changes may occur in individuals with coronary heart disease due to decreased oxygenation, brittle, concave nails are not a typical manifestation of this condition. Therefore, this option is less likely to explain the appearance of the nails.
Choice B Reason:
Iron deficiency anemia is correct. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by a lack of iron in the body, leading to decreased production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. One of the classic nail findings associated with iron deficiency anemia is koilonychia, which presents as brittle, concave nails with a spoon-like appearance. This is due to structural changes in the nails caused by the deficiency of iron. Therefore, this option is the most likely explanation for the observed nail changes.
Choice C Reason:
Diabetes mellitus is incorrect. Diabetes mellitus can lead to various dermatologic manifestations, including nail changes such as thickening, discoloration, and slow nail growth. However, brittle, concave nails with a spoon-like appearance are not typically associated with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, while diabetes mellitus may affect the nails, it is less likely to explain the specific appearance observed in this case.
Choice D Reason:
Recent candida infection is incorrect. Candida infections, particularly in the nail folds (paronychia), can lead to changes in the nails such as discoloration, thickening, or separation from the nail bed. However, brittle, concave nails with a spoon-like appearance are not typical findings of candida infections. Therefore, while recent candida infection may affect the nails, it is less likely to explain the specific appearance observed in this case.
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