The nurse is caring for a client who asks why blood levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is drawn at periodic intervals. Which of the following responses describes the correct rationale?
Decrease levels of CEA indicate the treatment of your colon cancer was effective
Increased levels of CEA indicate that surgery to correct your diverticulitis was effective
Increased levels of CEA indicate a return of your pancreatitis
Decreased levels of CEA indicate that you have Ulcerative Colitis
The Correct Answer is A
A. Decrease levels of CEA indicate the treatment of your colon cancer was effective: CEA is a tumor marker primarily used to monitor treatment response in certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer. A decrease in CEA levels after treatment suggests a positive response and reduced tumor burden.
B. Increased levels of CEA indicate that surgery to correct your diverticulitis was effective: CEA is not used to monitor diverticulitis. It is mainly associated with cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. An increase in CEA levels suggests possible cancer recurrence or progression, not resolution of diverticulitis.
C. Increased levels of CEA indicate a return of your pancreatitis: CEA is not a marker for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is typically monitored using amylase, lipase, and imaging studies.
D. Decreased levels of CEA indicate that you have Ulcerative Colitis: Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is not diagnosed or monitored using CEA. While chronic inflammation may increase cancer risk over time, CEA is not a direct indicator of UC.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Both require frequent surgery: While surgery may be required for complications of UC or CD, not all cases require frequent surgery. UC is more likely to be treated with total colectomy, while Crohn’s often requires surgery for strictures, fistulas, or bowel obstruction.
B. Both are inflammatory: Both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
C. Both begin in the rectum: Ulcerative colitis starts in the rectum and progresses proximally, while Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract (mouth to anus) but most commonly affects the ileum and colon.
D. Both manifest fistula formation: Fistulas (abnormal connections between organs) are common in Crohn’s disease but not in ulcerative colitis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Decrease in the respiratory rate from 20 to 16/min: Hypovolemic shock typically causes tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) as the body tries to increase oxygen delivery. A decreasing respiratory rate is not an expected finding.
B. Increase in the heart rate from 88 to 110/min: Tachycardia is an early sign of hypovolemic shock because the heart compensates for low blood volume by pumping faster.
C. Decrease in the urinary output from 50 mL to 30 mL per hour: A drop in urine output suggests early organ perfusion issues, but hypovolemic shock is suspected when urine output falls below 20 mL/hr.
D. Increase in the temperature from 99.5°F to 101.5°F: Fever suggests infection or inflammatory response, not hypovolemic shock. Shock typically causes hypothermia (low body temperature) as circulation is compromised.
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