A client with SLE asks why they are taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). The best response by the nurse is:
"It helps increase kidney function."
“It helps prevent blood clots from forming."
"It cures lupus if taken regularly."
"It reduces joint inflammation and prevents flare-ups.”
The Correct Answer is D
A. "It helps increase kidney function.": Hydroxychloroquine does not directly improve kidney function. Renal involvement in SLE requires separate management strategies, including immunosuppressive therapy.
B. “It helps prevent blood clots from forming.": Anticoagulants such as warfarin or heparin are used to prevent clotting. Hydroxychloroquine does not serve as a primary anticoagulant, though it may have some indirect effects on thrombosis risk.
C. "It cures lupus if taken regularly.": There is currently no cure for systemic lupus erythematosus. Hydroxychloroquine helps manage symptoms and prevent disease exacerbations, but it does not eliminate the disease.
D. "It reduces joint inflammation and prevents flare-ups.": Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial medication used in SLE to reduce inflammation, control fatigue, and prevent disease flare-ups. It helps manage musculoskeletal and cutaneous symptoms and improves long-term disease outcomes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Thyroid disease: Elevated blood pressure, obesity, and smoking are not primary risk factors for thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid disease is more commonly associated with autoimmune conditions, iodine imbalance, or genetic predisposition. These findings do not strongly correlate with thyroid pathology.
B. Cardiovascular disease: Hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥30), and smoking are major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Together, they significantly increase the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, stroke, and myocardial infarction. The combination of these findings places the client at high cardiovascular risk.
C. Testicular cancer: Testicular cancer risk is more closely linked to factors such as cryptorchidism, family history, and age rather than lifestyle-related factors. Blood pressure, BMI, and smoking status do not directly contribute to testicular cancer risk. These assessment findings are unrelated.
D. Depression: While chronic illness and lifestyle factors may contribute to mental health concerns, the findings provided are primarily physical risk factors. Depression risk is more closely associated with psychosocial stressors, personal history, and neurochemical factors. The assessment data align more strongly with cardiovascular risk.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis: Diabetic ketoacidosis results from insulin deficiency and is associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus or severe insulin deficiency states. Hypothyroidism does not directly impair insulin metabolism to the extent required to precipitate ketoacidosis. The pathophysiology of these conditions is unrelated.
B. Myxedema coma: Severe hypothyroidism can progress to myxedema coma, a life-threatening emergency characterized by hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, hypoventilation, and altered mental status. It often occurs in older adults or after stressors such as infection or cold exposure. Early recognition is critical due to high mortality.
C. Thyroid storm: Thyroid storm is a complication of severe hyperthyroidism rather than hypothyroidism. It involves excessive thyroid hormone activity with hyperthermia, tachycardia, and agitation. This condition represents the opposite end of the thyroid dysfunction spectrum.
D. Addisonian crisis: Addisonian crisis is associated with acute adrenal insufficiency and cortisol deficiency. While autoimmune conditions can coexist, severe hypothyroidism alone does not directly cause adrenal crisis. Monitoring focuses on thyroid-related complications instead.
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