Nursing Elites

1. A child's thymus gland is fully formed and proportionately larger than an adult's. Which of the following processes that contribute to immunity takes place in the thymus gland?

• A. Differentiation of B cells
• B. Production of natural killer (NK) cells
• C. Proliferation of T cells
• D. Filtration of antigens from the blood

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Proliferation of T cells. The thymus gland is responsible for the maturation and proliferation of T cells, which play a crucial role in adaptive immunity. Option A, differentiation of B cells, is incorrect because B cell maturation primarily occurs in the bone marrow. Option B, production of natural killer (NK) cells, is incorrect as NK cells are mainly produced in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. Option D, filtration of antigens from the blood, is incorrect as antigen filtration is not a primary function of the thymus gland.

2. A 21-year-old female was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. In addition to fatigue and weakness, which of the following clinical signs and symptoms would she most likely exhibit?

• A. Hyperactivity
• B. Spoon-shaped nails
• C. Gait problems
• D. Petechiae

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Spoon-shaped nails. In iron deficiency anemia, spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia) are a common symptom due to changes in the nail bed. This condition is known as Plummer-Vinson syndrome. While fatigue and weakness are common in iron deficiency anemia, hyperactivity (choice A) is not typically associated with this condition. Gait problems (choice C) and petechiae (choice D) are more commonly seen in other medical conditions and are not characteristic of iron deficiency anemia.

3. 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.

4. A woman of childbearing age is diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently taking hormonal contraceptives. What information should the woman be given regarding the hormonal contraceptives?

• A. The hormonal contraceptives do not affect the course of the disease.
• B. The hormonal contraceptives will stimulate uterine bleeding.
• C. The hormonal contraceptives will impair uterine bleeding.
• D. The hormonal contraceptives will stimulate tumor growth.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Hormonal contraceptives should be discontinued in women diagnosed with breast cancer because they can potentially stimulate cancer growth. Choice B is incorrect as hormonal contraceptives do not stimulate uterine bleeding. Choice C is also incorrect as hormonal contraceptives typically do not impair uterine bleeding. Choice D is incorrect because hormonal contraceptives are not meant to stimulate tumor growth.

5. A patient with an 18 pack per year history presents to a family practice clinic complaining of painless hoarseness and inability to clear mucus. A biopsy of respiratory tract cells is taken and shows that these cells have been replaced by less mature squamous epithelium cells. The nurse knows this type of change is referred to as:

• A. Dysplasia
• B. Metaplasia
• C. Hyperplasia
• D. Coagulation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Metaplasia is the replacement of one type of cell with another, which can occur in response to chronic irritation, such as from smoking. In this case, the respiratory tract cells being replaced by less mature squamous epithelium cells indicate metaplasia. Dysplasia refers to abnormal development or growth of cells, not replacement; hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells, not a replacement; and coagulation is a process related to blood clotting, not cell replacement.

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