In which disease process should a nurse expect to see a patient with the presence of pitting edema?
Diabetes mellitus
Liver disease
End-stage renal disease
Colon cancer
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason:
Diabetes mellitus is not typically associated with pitting edema unless it has led to a comorbid condition such as heart failure or kidney disease. Pitting edema is more commonly associated with fluid retention due to the body's inability to manage fluid balance, which is not a direct consequence of diabetes mellitus itself.
Choice B reason:
Liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, can lead to pitting edema. The liver's inability to produce albumin, a protein that helps maintain oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, and portal hypertension, which is an increase in the blood pressure within the portal vein system, can both contribute to the development of pitting edema.
Choice C reason:
End-stage renal disease can also cause pitting edema due to the kidneys' inability to excrete excess fluid. However, the edema associated with renal disease is often more generalized and not limited to the lower extremities.
Choice D reason:
Colon cancer is not typically associated with pitting edema unless it has metastasized and caused secondary complications that affect the liver or the heart. Pitting edema is not a direct symptom of colon cancer itself. 
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The nasolacrimal sac is part of the tear drainage system. When a patient presents with excessive tearing, known as epiphora, it is important to assess for any obstruction in the lacrimal apparatus. The nasolacrimal sac can become blocked due to various reasons such as infection, inflammation, or structural abnormalities. Assessing this area can help determine if there is a blockage causing the tears to accumulate and overflow.
Choice B Reason:
Inspecting the palpebral conjunctiva is typically done if there is a complaint of eye pain or a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. While it is part of a comprehensive eye examination, it is not the first assessment to be performed for excessive tearing unless there are additional symptoms that suggest a problem with the conjunctiva.
Choice C Reason:
Testing the pupillary reaction to light is an assessment of the pupillary response and the function of the oculomotor nerve. This test is crucial when neurological issues are suspected or if there is a change in vision. However, it is not the primary assessment for excessive tearing without other associated symptoms.
Choice D Reason:
The eye positions test, which assesses eye muscle strength and cranial nerve function, is not necessary unless there are signs of problems with muscle strength, such as drooping. This test would not typically be the next step in assessing a patient with excessive tearing unless there are other indications of muscle or nerve impairment.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice a reason:
The tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, is a critical component of the middle ear. It is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound waves. These vibrations are then transmitted to the ossicles within the middle ear, which amplify and carry the sound to the inner ear.
Choice b reason:
The ear lobe is part of the external ear, not the middle ear. It is composed of soft skin and fatty tissue and does not play a role in hearing. The ear lobe serves primarily as a site for body decoration such as earrings.
Choice c reason:
The cochlea is a structure located in the inner ear. It is a spiral-shaped organ that contains the organ of Corti, the sensory organ of hearing. The cochlea converts the mechanical vibrations from the middle ear into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.
Choice d reason:
The pinna, or auricle, is the visible part of the external ear. It is made of cartilage and skin and functions to capture sound waves and direct them into the ear canal towards the tympanic membrane.
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