The parent of a 1-year-old child with tetralogy of Fallot asks the nurse, "Why do my child's fingertips look like that?" On what understanding does the nurse base a response?
Clubbing occurs as a result of decreased cardiac output.
Clubbing occurs as a result of a left-to-right shunting of blood.
Clubbing occurs as a result of chronic hypoxia
Clubbing occurs as a result of untreated congestive heart failure.
The Correct Answer is C
C. Clubbing, characterized by bulbous enlargement of the fingertips and nail bed, is a result of chronic hypoxia in tetralogy of Fallot. In tetralogy of Fallot, there is a right-to-left shunting of blood due to the presence of a ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, pulmonary stenosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy. This leads to reduced oxygenation of blood and chronic hypoxia, which can result in clubbing of the fingertips over time.

A This option is not the primary explanation for clubbing in tetralogy of Fallot. While decreased cardiac output may contribute to some manifestations of the condition, clubbing specifically results from chronic hypoxia rather than decreased cardiac output alone.
B Clubbing is not directly caused by a left-to-right shunting of blood. Instead, it is associated with chronic hypoxia, which can occur due to right-to-left shunting of blood in tetralogy of Fallot.
D Congestive heart failure may occur in individuals with tetralogy of Fallot but it is not the primary cause of clubbing. Clubbing in tetralogy of Fallot is primarily attributed to chronic hypoxia rather than heart failure alone.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. Tugging or pulling on the affected ear lobe is a classic sign of otitis media in infants. The discomfort or pain caused by inflammation and pressure in the middle ear may lead the infant to tug or rub the affected ear in an attempt to alleviate discomfort.
A. Bluish-green discharge from the ear canal is not a typical finding in otitis media. Otitis media is characterized by inflammation and fluid accumulation in the middle ear, which may not result in discharge unless there is a secondary bacterial infection or perforation of the eardrum.
B. An increase in appetite is not a typical finding in otitis media. In fact, many children with otitis media may experience a decrease in appetite due to discomfort, pain, and difficulty swallowing or chewing.
C. Erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) of the affected auricle (outer ear) are not typically associated with otitis media. Otitis media primarily affects the middle ear, where inflammation and fluid accumulation occur behind the eardrum.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. This is characteristic of Kernig's sign. Kernig's sign is elicited when the thigh is flexed at the hip and then attempts to extend the leg at the knee are met with resistance or pain due to inflammation of the meninges.

A. Petechial and purpuric rashes are associated with meningococcal meningitis, not specifically with Kernig's sign. These rashes result from bleeding into the skin and are a characteristic feature of meningococcal sepsis. However, they are not directly related to Kernig's sign.
B. This observation describes Brudzinski's sign, not Kernig's sign. Brudzinski's sign occurs when passive flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees due to meningeal irritation.
D. Muscle and joint pain can be symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig's sign. Kernig's sign specifically refers to resistance or pain experienced when attempting to extend the leg at the knee.
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