Neurologic Case Study
Patient Profile:
- Age: 68 years.
- Gender: Male.
- Medical History: Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
- Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin.
- Allergies: None.
Chief Complaint: The patient presents to the emergency department (ED) with a sudden onset of right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking that began approximately 1 hour prior to arrival.
What is a potential complication of the patient's condition?
Kidney failure
Aspiration pneumonia
Hypotension
Heart failure
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Kidney failure is not a common immediate complication related to the patient's presentation of sudden right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking, which are indicative of a stroke. Although diabetes and hypertension can eventually lead to kidney issues, this is not an acute complication.
Choice B reason: Aspiration pneumonia is a potential complication of the patient's condition, especially given the presence of expressive aphasia. Patients with neurological deficits, particularly those affecting speech and swallowing, are at higher risk of aspirating food or liquids into the lungs, leading to pneumonia.
Choice C reason: Hypotension is not commonly a direct complication of a stroke, especially considering the patient's elevated blood pressure. Stroke patients often present with hypertension rather than hypotension.
Choice D reason: Heart failure, while related to the patient's underlying conditions like hypertension and possibly diabetes, is not an immediate complication of the acute neurological event described. The focus should be more on the neurological and respiratory complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Fluid volume overload is not typically associated with diabetes insipidus. Instead, patients with diabetes insipidus often experience fluid volume deficit due to excessive urine output.
Choice B reason: Hyperglycemia is not a characteristic problem of diabetes insipidus. This condition involves an imbalance in water regulation due to insufficient production or response to antidiuretic hormone (ADH), rather than issues related to blood glucose levels.
Choice C reason: Nocturia, or frequent urination at night, is a common problem in diabetes insipidus. Patients with this condition produce large amounts of dilute urine, which can lead to frequent nighttime urination.
Choice D reason: Generalized edema is not a typical problem in diabetes insipidus. Edema is more commonly associated with conditions involving fluid retention, such as heart failure or kidney disease, rather than the excessive fluid loss seen in diabetes insipidus.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH (less than 7.35) due to a primary decrease in bicarbonate (HCO₃). The arterial blood gas results in this scenario do not indicate metabolic acidosis, as the pH is elevated and HCO₃ is within the normal range.
Choice B reason: Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an increase in blood pH (greater than 7.45) due to a primary increase in bicarbonate (HCO₃). In this case, the pH is indeed elevated, but the bicarbonate level is normal, making this condition unlikely.
Choice C reason: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH (less than 7.35) due to a primary increase in PaCO₂. The arterial blood gas results show an elevated pH and a decreased PaCO₂, which are not consistent with respiratory acidosis.
Choice D reason: Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by an increase in blood pH (greater than 7.45) due to a primary decrease in PaCO₂. In this scenario, the pH is elevated at 7.48, and the PaCO₂ is decreased at 32 mm Hg, indicating respiratory alkalosis. The bicarbonate level is within the normal range, further supporting this interpretation.
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