ATI RN
Pathophysiology Practice Questions
1. A 70-year-old woman has difficulty with driving, and she has been frequently getting lost. Her husband said she has also been acting strangely and seems to want to sleep a lot. He said the other night she kept saying she was seeing animals such as lions in her room. He says her memory is not too bad, but he is very concerned about her health. Physical examination reveals an alert woman with stable vital signs. Bradykinesia and limb rigidity are noted. These findings are consistent with:
- A. Alzheimer's disease.
- B. vascular dementia.
- C. dementia with Lewy bodies.
- D. frontotemporal dementia.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Hallucinations, parkinsonian symptoms (like bradykinesia and limb rigidity), and fluctuating cognition are characteristic of DLB. Alzheimer's disease (Choice A) typically presents with memory loss as a prominent feature. Vascular dementia (Choice B) is associated with a history of strokes and step-wise cognitive decline. Frontotemporal dementia (Choice D) often presents with changes in behavior and personality rather than the parkinsonian symptoms seen in this case.
2. An older adult patient has just sheared the skin on her elbow while attempting to boost herself up in bed, an event that has precipitated acute inflammation in the region surrounding the wound. Which of the following events will occur during the vascular stage of the patient's inflammation?
- A. Outpouring of exudate into interstitial spaces
- B. Chemotaxis
- C. Accumulation of leukocytes along epithelium
- D. Phagocytosis of cellular debris
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During the vascular stage of inflammation, there is an outpouring of exudate into the interstitial spaces, leading to swelling and edema. Choice B, chemotaxis, occurs during the cellular stage of inflammation, where leukocytes move to the site of injury in response to chemical signals. Choice C, accumulation of leukocytes along the epithelium, is not a typical event during the vascular stage. Phagocytosis of cellular debris, as in choice D, mainly occurs during the resolution stage of inflammation.
3. A 10-year-old male is stung by a bee while playing in the yard. He begins itching and develops pain, swelling, redness, and respiratory difficulties. He is suffering from:
- A. Immunodeficiency
- B. Autoimmunity
- C. Anaphylaxis
- D. Tissue-specific hypersensitivity
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe, immediate allergic reaction mediated by IgE. In this scenario, the symptoms of itching, pain, swelling, redness, and respiratory difficulties following a bee sting are indicative of anaphylaxis. Choice A, Immunodeficiency, refers to a weakened immune system's inability to protect the body from infections and diseases, which is not the case here. Choice B, Autoimmunity, involves the immune system attacking healthy cells and tissues by mistake, which is not the mechanism at play in anaphylaxis. Choice D, Tissue-specific hypersensitivity, does not accurately describe the immediate, systemic reaction seen in anaphylaxis.
4. Which of the following statements characterizes irritable bowel syndrome?
- A. Typically does not cause anemia
- B. Not generally associated with intestinal E. coli
- C. Can be associated with anxiety and/or depression
- D. Not often associated with bloody diarrhea
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. While IBS can lead to symptoms like diarrhea or constipation, it typically does not cause anemia (choice A), is not generally associated with intestinal E. coli (choice B), and is not often associated with bloody diarrhea (choice D). However, IBS can indeed be associated with anxiety and/or depression (choice C) due to the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain. This association is well-documented in IBS patients, highlighting the importance of considering psychological factors in managing the condition.
5. A patient is taking medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) for the treatment of endometriosis. What should the nurse include in the patient teaching?
- A. Take the medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
- B. Avoid prolonged sun exposure while taking this medication.
- C. Take the medication at the same time each day to maintain consistent hormone levels.
- D. Discontinue the medication if side effects occur.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to take the medication at the same time each day to maintain consistent hormone levels. This is important for the effectiveness of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Choice A is incorrect because medroxyprogesterone acetate does not need to be taken with food. Choice B is irrelevant as sun exposure is not a concern with this medication. Choice D is incorrect as discontinuing the medication without consulting a healthcare provider can lead to adverse effects.
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