The nurse is caring for a school-aged child with Burkitt lymphoma. A review of the child's laboratory results reveal serum calcium 8.1 mg/dL (1.9 mmol/L), serum potassium 6.1 mEq/L (6.1 mmol/L), and serum phosphorus 5.9 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L). Which pathophysiological process is associated with the child's laboratory results?
Reference range:
Total Calcium [8.8 to 10.8 mg/dL (2.2 to 2.7 mmol/L)]
Potassium [3.4 to 4.7 mEq/L (3.4 to 4.7 mmol/L)]
Total Phosphorus [4.5 to 6.5 mg/dL (1.45 to 2.1 mmol/L)]
Wilm's tumor.
Tumor lysis syndrome.
Superior vena cava syndrome.
Hyperleukocytosis
The Correct Answer is B
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a potentially life-threatening oncologic emergency characterized by the rapid release of intracellular contents into the bloodstream following the destruction of cancer cells. This release can lead to metabolic disturbances, including hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, and hypocalcemia. Here's how the child's laboratory results are indicative of tumor lysis syndrome:
A) Wilm's tumor:
Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children. However, it typically does not cause the metabolic disturbances seen in tumor lysis syndrome. Laboratory abnormalities in Wilms tumor are generally related to renal dysfunction and may include hematuria and proteinuria.
B) Tumor lysis syndrome:
Correct. Tumor lysis syndrome occurs when chemotherapy or radiation therapy causes a rapid breakdown of cancer cells, leading to the release of intracellular contents such as potassium, phosphorus, and uric acid into the bloodstream. The elevated potassium and phosphorus levels seen in the child's laboratory results are consistent with tumor lysis syndrome. Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium) and hyperphosphatemia (elevated phosphorus) are common metabolic disturbances in tumor lysis syndrome.
C) Superior vena cava syndrome:
Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava, a major vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart, becomes partially or completely obstructed. This obstruction can lead to symptoms such as facial swelling, dyspnea, and dilated neck veins. While superior vena cava syndrome may occur in cancer patients, it does not typically cause the metabolic disturbances seen in the child's laboratory results.
D) Hyperleukocytosis:
Hyperleukocytosis refers to an extremely high white blood cell count, which can occur in leukemia. While leukemia can lead to metabolic abnormalities, the child's laboratory results, particularly the elevated potassium and phosphorus levels, are more indicative of tumor lysis syndrome than hyperleukocytosis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition characterized by non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland, leading to its enlargement. This enlargement can contribute to urinary retention by obstructing the flow of urine through the urethra. Here's the breakdown of the explanation:
A) Abnormal growth results in loss of bladder muscle tone:
While BPH can lead to urinary symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia, it does not directly cause loss of bladder muscle tone. Instead, the enlarged prostate gland obstructs the bladder outlet, making it difficult for urine to pass through the urethra.
B) Inflammation causes spasms of the gland:
Inflammation of the prostate gland, known as prostatitis, can cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, dysuria, and urinary frequency, but it is not typically associated with BPH. BPH is characterized by benign growth of the prostate tissue rather than inflammation and spasms.
C) The enlarged gland compresses the urethra:
Correct. The primary mechanism by which BPH causes urinary retention is by compressing the urethra, which obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder. As the prostate gland enlarges, it can constrict the urethra, leading to symptoms such as hesitancy, weak urinary stream, incomplete emptying, and urinary retention.
D) Nerve compression decreases the sensation that the bladder is full:
While compression of nerves in the pelvic region can contribute to urinary symptoms, such as decreased sensation of bladder fullness, it is not the primary mechanism by which BPH causes urinary retention. The compression of the urethra by the enlarged prostate gland is the main factor leading to urinary obstruction and retention.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Multiple organ dysfunction:
Correct. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a widespread inflammatory response to a variety of severe clinical insults, including trauma, infection, burns, or other sources of tissue injury. In the context of trauma from a motor vehicle collision, the body may mount a systemic inflammatory response involving multiple organ systems. This can progress to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), where there is progressive dysfunction of two or more organ systems.
B) Acute kidney injury:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) can certainly occur in the context of severe trauma and systemic inflammation, such as in SIRS. However, AKI is a specific manifestation rather than the overarching pathophysiological process associated with the development of SIRS.
C) Intestinal obstruction:
Intestinal obstruction is a mechanical obstruction of the intestines and is not typically associated with the development of SIRS unless there is associated ischemia or perforation leading to systemic inflammation.
D) Sepsis:
Sepsis is a severe infection that has spread throughout the body and triggers a systemic inflammatory response. While sepsis can lead to SIRS, it is not the only cause. In this scenario, trauma from a motor vehicle collision is the primary cause of the systemic inflammatory response, rather than infection.
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