You are working in an outpatient gastroenterology clinic when, during an elective colonoscopy, after hearing anesthesia say that they "lost track of how much Fentanyl was given," a patient requires frequent, vigorous stimulation in order to respond. You quickly realize that this patient is grossly over-sedated. A patient in this state is said to be:
Lethargic
Stuporous
Obtunded
Comatose
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Lethargy implies a state of sluggishness, drowsiness, or fatigue, not the inability to respond to stimuli.
Choice B reason: Stupor refers to a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility, but the patient may respond to vigorous stimulation.
Choice C reason: Obtundation describes a state of consciousness characterized by a reduced alertness and a slow response to stimuli, but not complete unresponsiveness.
Choice D reason: Comatose is the correct term for a state of deep unconsciousness in which a patient cannot be aroused, fitting the description of the patient's condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: While having at least one stool per day is a sign that lactulose is working, it does not directly indicate its effectiveness in reducing ammonia levels and improving mental status.
Choice B reason: Denial of nausea and vomiting is positive but is not a direct indicator of lactulose's effectiveness in treating hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice C reason: A decrease in bilirubin levels may be a positive sign, but it is not a direct indicator of lactulose's effectiveness in treating hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice D reason: The client being alert and oriented is a direct indicator that lactulose is effectively reducing ammonia levels and improving mental status, which is a key goal in treating hepatic encephalopathy associated with liver cirrhosis.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Fluid volume status affects preload, not afterload.
Choice B reason: Atrial contraction contributes to filling of the ventricles, not to afterload.
Choice C reason: Afterload is the resistance left ventricular must overcome to circulate blood, which is accurately described as resistance to blood flow.
Choice D reason: Myocardial compliance refers to the elasticity of the heart muscle, which affects how the heart fills, not the resistance it must overcome to eject blood.
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