Share This Link

Dyspepsia, or indigestion, is a common symptom of peptic ulcer disease. It reflects irritation of the gastric mucosa but is not life-threatening. While it contributes to discomfort and may guide diagnosis, it does not indicate an acute complication requiring immediate intervention.

Epigastric discomfort is a hallmark symptom of peptic ulcer disease and often prompts clinical evaluation. However, it is a subjective symptom and not necessarily indicative of a complication. It lacks the urgency associated with signs of active bleeding or perforation.

Constipation is not typically associated with peptic ulcer disease and may be related to other factors such as diet, medications, or decreased mobility. It does not represent a priority concern in the context of ulcer complications.

Hypertension is more commonly associated with type 2 diabetes and long-term complications such as nephropathy. In the context of uncontrolled type 1 diabetes, it is not a typical early finding and may not be directly related to acute glycemic dysregulation.

Hematuria is not a typical finding in uncontrolled type 1 diabetes. It may suggest urinary tract pathology or nephropathy, but it is not expected in the acute phase of uncontrolled diabetes unless there is an underlying renal complication.

Bradycardia is not a common manifestation of uncontrolled type 1 diabetes. In fact, patients may exhibit tachycardia due to dehydration, hypovolemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Bradycardia would prompt evaluation for other causes such as electrolyte imbalance or cardiac conduction issues.

Inverted P waves are typically associated with ectopic atrial rhythms or junctional rhythms, not hypokalemia. While hypokalemia can affect atrial conduction, inverted P waves are not a hallmark finding.

Elevated ST segments are more indicative of myocardial injury or pericarditis. Hypokalemia is associated with ST depression rather than elevation, making this choice incorrect in the context of electrolyte imbalance.

A wide QRS complex is more commonly associated with hyperkalemia or other conduction delays such as bundle branch blocks. In hypokalemia, QRS widening is not a typical early finding and may only occur in severe cases with arrhythmias.
 

Weight gain is not typically associated with Addison’s disease. In fact, many patients experience weight loss due to anorexia, nausea, and gastrointestinal disturbances. The lack of cortisol and aldosterone leads to fluid and electrolyte imbalances that further contribute to weight loss.

Hypertension is more commonly seen in conditions of cortisol excess, such as Cushing’s syndrome. In Addison’s disease, the deficiency of aldosterone leads to sodium loss and volume depletion, often resulting in hypotension rather than hypertension.

Hyperglycemia is associated with cortisol excess, not deficiency. Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis and increases blood glucose levels. In Addison’s disease, cortisol deficiency leads to impaired glucose production and may even cause hypoglycemia, especially during stress or fasting.

Urge incontinence is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary bladder contraction and leakage. It is typically associated with overactive bladder syndrome and does not usually present with bladder distention or palpable fullness.

Stress incontinence occurs when physical activity or exertion—such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting—causes leakage due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. It is not associated with bladder distention or continuous leakage.

Reflex incontinence is caused by neurological impairment that disrupts the normal bladder reflex arc, leading to involuntary urination without awareness. While it may involve bladder dysfunction, it does not typically present with a distended bladder or constant dribbling.

Serous drainage is typically clear or slightly yellow and watery. It reflects plasma leakage from capillaries and is common in the early stages of wound healing. It does not contain red blood cells and therefore lacks the reddish tint described in the question.

Purulent drainage is thick, opaque, and often yellow, green, or brown. It indicates infection and contains dead cells, bacteria, and inflammatory debris. Watery red drainage is not consistent with purulence.

Sanguineous drainage is primarily composed of fresh blood and appears bright red. It suggests active bleeding and is usually seen in deep wounds or trauma. The watery nature of the drainage described in the question makes this choice less accurate.

Waiting for the nurse to evaluate pain before requesting medication may delay effective pain management. Timely self-reporting and proactive pain control are essential, especially postoperatively, to prevent escalation and complications.

While concerns about addiction are valid, under-medicating acute postoperative pain can hinder recovery, increase stress responses, and impair mobility. Pain control should be balanced and guided by clinical protocols, not fear of addiction.

Waiting until pain starts to increase again can lead to a cycle of inadequate control. Pain is easier to manage when addressed early, before it intensifies. This approach may result in delayed relief and increased suffering.

Decreased blood pH is a hallmark of DKA due to metabolic acidosis from ketone accumulation. In HHS, pH is usually normal or only mildly decreased because ketosis is minimal or absent.

Severe hyperglycemia is present in both HHS and DKA, though it tends to be more extreme in HHS. However, it is not the distinguishing feature, as both conditions involve elevated glucose levels.

Ketone presence in the urine is a key feature of DKA, resulting from fat breakdown due to insulin deficiency. In HHS, ketones are typically absent or minimal, but this absence alone does not distinguish the condition as clearly as osmolality.

The lockout feature does not ensure adequate medication use. It is designed to prevent excessive dosing, not to encourage more frequent use. Patients are educated to self-administer based on pain levels.

PCA pumps are patient-controlled and do not operate on a fixed schedule. The lockout interval is not a reminder tool but a safety mechanism to regulate dosing frequency.

PCA pumps are designed for patient autonomy in pain control. Nurses monitor usage and effectiveness but do not control administration directly. The lockout feature is built into the device, not managed manually by nursing staff.

Extended-release tablets should never be crushed or chewed, as this disrupts the controlled release mechanism and can lead to rapid absorption, increasing the risk of side effects and toxicity. Patients must be instructed to swallow the tablet whole.

Increased perspiration is not a common side effect of metformin. While hypoglycemia can cause sweating, metformin alone rarely causes hypoglycemia unless combined with other antidiabetic agents. This statement is misleading and not part of standard teaching.

Metformin does not cause urine discoloration. Urine turning orange may be associated with medications like rifampin or phenazopyridine, not metformin. This statement is incorrect and unrelated to the drug’s known profile.