A client is scheduled for an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test to help diagnose suspected Addison's disease. What should the nurse include when teaching the client about this test?

This test measures the kidneys' response to ACTH.

If you have Addison's disease, plasma cortisol levels will rise in response to ACTH.

You will take a dose of ACTH by mouth the evening before the test.

ACTH is a hormone that is normally produced by the pituitary gland.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   The ACTH stimulation test measures the adrenal glands' response to ACTH, not the kidneys.
B.   In Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands are damaged and unable to produce sufficient cortisol even when stimulated by ACTH. Therefore, plasma cortisol levels will not rise significantly in response to
ACTH administration in individuals with Addison’s disease.
C.   The ACTH stimulation test involves administering ACTH via injection, not orally.
D.   ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. The ACTH stimulation test assesses how well the adrenal glands respond to ACTH, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions like Addison’s disease, where the adrenal glands do not respond appropriately.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Floaters and flashes of light are classic symptoms of retinal detachment. When the retina begins to detach from the underlying tissue, it can cause these visual disturbances. Floaters are small, shadowy shapes that move across the field of vision, while flashes of light can occur due to the retina being stretched or pulled.
B. Cataracts primarily cause blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to light, rather than floaters or flashes of light.
C. AMD generally affects central vision and can cause symptoms such as distorted vision, difficulty seeing in low light, and a loss of central vision. While AMD can cause vision changes, it is not typically associated with seeing floaters and flashes of light.
D. Open-angle glaucoma usually progresses slowly and is often asymptomatic in its early stages. It primarily affects peripheral vision, leading to a gradual loss of vision in the periphery.

A. Thirty seconds after administration, the facial weakness and ptosis will be relieved for approximately 5 minutes. B. After administration, the client will experience worsening facial weakness and ptosis. C. After administration of the medication, there will be no change in the status of the ptosis or facial weakness. D. The client will have elimination of symptoms lasting at least 24 hours after the administration of the medication.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

This is the correct expected outcome if the test is positive for myasthenia gravis. Edrophonium works quickly to increase acetylcholine levels, leading to temporary improvement in muscle strength. In a patient with myasthenia gravis, administration of edrophonium typically results in a rapid improvement in symptoms like facial weakness and ptosis within 30 to 60 seconds, with the effects lasting for a few minutes. This brief improvement is indicative of a positive result for myasthenia gravis.
B.A Worsening symptoms after administration of edrophonium are not expected and could indicate an adverse reaction or incorrect diagnosis. In myasthenia gravis, edrophonium typically improves symptoms rather than worsening them.
C. No change in symptoms would be unexpected in the case of myasthenia gravis. If edrophonium is effective, there should be a noticeable improvement in symptoms. If there is no change, it might suggest a diagnosis other than myasthenia gravis or that the test is inconclusive.
D. This outcome is not expected. Edrophonium has a very short duration of action, typically relieving symptoms for only a few minutes. The effects do not last for 24 hours. A longer-lasting improvement might be observed with other treatments for myasthenia gravis, such as anticholinesterase medications like pyridostigmine, but not with edrophonium.

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A client is scheduled for an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test to help diagnose suspected Addison's disease. What should the nurse include when teaching the client about this test?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with diabetes and hypertension describes seeing "floaters" and flashes of light in their field of vision. The nurse understands that this description is indicative of which disorder?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is assisting while a neurologist administers an edrophonium (Tensilon) test to a client with facial weakness and ptosis. If the test is positive for myasthenia gravis, which outcome would the nurse observe?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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