Which of the following clients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis would the nurse identify as most at risk for developing a cholinergic crisis? A client who
reports taking an extra dose each day of their anticholinesterase medication.
is experiencing a respiratory infection and is short of breath.
has a family history of autoimmune disorders.
has a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Reports taking an extra dose each day of their anticholinesterase medication."
This client is at highest risk for developing a cholinergic crisis. A cholinergic crisis occurs when there is overdose or excessive stimulation of acetylcholine receptors due to too much anticholinesterase medication. Symptoms include muscle weakness, respiratory distress, salivation, sweating, and bradycardia. Taking an extra dose of the medication can result in an overdose of acetylcholine, triggering these symptoms. Therefore, this client is at the greatest risk for a cholinergic crisis.
B. "Is experiencing a respiratory infection and is short of breath."
While respiratory infections can worsen symptoms of myasthenia gravis due to increased muscle weakness, this client is not directly at risk for a cholinergic crisis. Respiratory infections can increase the risk of myasthenic crisis, which is a different complication where muscle weakness worsens to the point of respiratory failure. A myasthenic crisis is caused by insufficient anticholinesterase medication or a disease exacerbation, not an overdose.
C. "Has a family history of autoimmune disorders."
A family history of autoimmune disorders may suggest a genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases, but it does not increase the risk of a cholinergic crisis specifically. The risk of a cholinergic crisis is more directly related to medication management, not family history.
D. "Has a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus."
Type 2 diabetes mellitus does not directly increase the risk of a cholinergic crisis. While diabetes may influence overall health and immune function, it does not have a direct impact on anticholinesterase therapy or the risk of cholinergic crisis in myasthenia gravis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A systolic murmur: A systolic murmur is often associated with valvular heart disease, particularly mitral regurgitation, which can sometimes result from papillary muscle dysfunction after a myocardial infarction. However, a systolic murmur is not a typical or immediate complication following an anterior-lateral wall MI. The focus in the early hours after an MI should be on more acute complications, such as dysrhythmias and hemodynamic stability, rather than a murmur, which may develop more gradually over time.
B. Ventricular dysrhythmias: Ventricular dysrhythmias are one of the most common and life-threatening complications in the immediate hours following an acute myocardial infarction (MI), especially with an anterior-lateral wall MI. These dysrhythmias occur due to the electrical disturbances caused by myocardial injury and ischemia. The heart muscle becomes more susceptible to abnormal electrical activity after the infarction, and monitoring for ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation is crucial. These arrhythmias can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, which is why they are a high priority for monitoring in the immediate post-MI period.
C. A pericardial friction rub: A pericardial friction rub is a sign of pericarditis, which can occur after an MI, particularly several days to a week later, rather than in the immediate post-MI period. While pericarditis is a possible complication of MI, it is less likely to present immediately after the infarction, especially in the first few hours. The nurse should monitor for pericarditis, but it is not as high a priority as dysrhythmias during the first hours after MI.
D. Renal insufficiency: While renal insufficiency can develop as a result of poor perfusion or shock following a myocardial infarction, it is not one of the most immediate or common complications to watch for in the first hours after an anterior-lateral MI. The primary concern in this acute phase is monitoring for cardiovascular complications, such as dysrhythmias, rather than renal function. Renal insufficiency would be a secondary concern, particularly if the patient is hypotensive or experiencing other signs of multi-organ involvement.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. pH 7.36, PaO2 98 mmHg, PaCO2 27 mmHg, HCO3 16 mEq/L, O2 sat 99%: This set of ABG results is consistent with fully compensated metabolic acidosis. pH 7.36: This is within the normal range (7.35-7.45), indicating that compensation has occurred, as the pH has returned to normal levels. PaCO2 27 mmHg: The PaCO2 is low, suggesting that the respiratory system has compensated for the metabolic acidosis by increasing ventilation to excrete CO2, thus reducing the acid load. HCO3 16 mEq/L: The bicarbonate level is low, which is consistent with metabolic acidosis as the primary disturbance. The PaO2 and O2 saturation are normal, indicating adequate oxygenation. Since the pH is within the normal range and the PaCO2 and HCO3 levels reflect the compensatory changes needed to correct the metabolic acidosis, this is a case of fully compensated metabolic acidosis.
B. pH 7.47, PaO2 91 mmHg, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 30 mEq/L, O2 sat 96%:
This result indicates alkalosis rather than acidosis. The pH is alkalotic (7.47), and PaCO2 is elevated (52 mmHg), which suggests respiratory acidosis as the primary disturbance. The HCO3 is also high (30 mEq/L), which is consistent with metabolic compensation for respiratory acidosis, not for metabolic acidosis. Therefore, this is not consistent with fully compensated metabolic acidosis.
C. pH 7.45, PaO2 86 mmHg, PaCO2 56 mmHg, HCO3 28 mEq/L, O2 sat 94%:
The pH is normal, but PaCO2 is elevated (56 mmHg), indicating respiratory acidosis rather than metabolic acidosis. The HCO3 is also elevated (28 mEq/L), which is consistent with compensation for respiratory acidosis, not metabolic acidosis. This result suggests respiratory acidosis with compensated metabolic alkalosis rather than metabolic acidosis.
D. pH 7.32, PaO2 88 mmHg, PaCO2 54 mmHg, HCO3 29 mEq/L, O2 sat 94%:
The pH of 7.32 indicates acidosis, but it is not within the normal range, so this is not fully compensated. The PaCO2 is elevated (54 mmHg), indicating respiratory acidosis, and the HCO3 is elevated (29 mEq/L), showing metabolic compensation. However, since the pH has not yet returned to normal (it remains acidotic), this is an example of partially compensated respiratory acidosis, not fully compensated metabolic acidosis.
respiratory acidosis, not fully compensated metabolic acidosis.
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