A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic kidney disease and notes that the client has small crystals on his forehead. The nurse understands that this manifestation is a result of an excess of which substance in the body?
Potassium
Sodium
Urea
Creatinine
The Correct Answer is C
A. Elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can occur in chronic kidney disease, as the kidneys struggle to excrete potassium. However, hyperkalemia does not typically cause visible crystals on the skin. It is more associated with cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness rather than skin manifestations.
B. Sodium imbalance is common in chronic kidney disease, often leading to fluid retention and hypertension. However, excess sodium does not result in crystal formation on the skin. Sodium issues are more related to fluid balance and blood pressure, not external crystalline deposits.
C. Urea is a waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins and is normally excreted by the kidneys. In chronic kidney disease, urea accumulates in the blood (uremia) because the kidneys cannot effectively filter it out. Urea can be deposited on the skin and form crystals, leading to a condition known as "uremic frost." This is often observed on the forehead or other areas of the skin and is a direct result of excess urea in the body.
D. Creatinine is another waste product filtered by the kidneys. Elevated levels indicate impaired kidney function, but creatinine itself does not form visible crystals on the skin. Elevated creatinine levels are primarily used as an indicator of kidney function rather than a cause of external skin manifestations.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregularly irregular rhythms with no distinct P-waves. Instead, it has a chaotic baseline with fibrillatory waves. The ventricular response can be irregular and variable. The description provided (regular P-waves in a sawtooth formation) does not match the typical appearance of atrial fibrillation, which lacks regular P-waves and has an irregular rhythm.
B. Atrial flutter is characterized by regular, sawtooth-shaped P-waves known as "F-waves" or "flutter waves." The classic pattern is referred to as "F-waves" with a "sawtooth" appearance, often seen in the inferior leads (II, III, aVF). The atrial rate is typically between 240 to 340 beats per minute, which fits the rate of 260 beats per minute in the description. The ventricular rate can be regular or irregular, depending on the degree of AV node conduction. A
C. Unstable angina is a clinical diagnosis of chest pain due to myocardial ischemia. It is not associated with specific ECG findings related to the P-wave morphology or rate. The ECG findings described do not correspond to unstable angina, which would typically present with ST-segment changes or other signs of myocardial ischemia rather than a specific P-wave pattern.
D. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are early beats originating from the atria that interrupt the normal rhythm. They usually present as a single early beat with a different morphology of the P-wave compared to the sinus P-waves, but do not result in a regular sawtooth pattern or a sustained rhythm at high rates like the one described.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Edrophonium is used to diagnose myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness. It is not used to treat the symptoms described in the question.
B. Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to treat various conditions, including autoimmune diseases and allergies. It is not used to treat Parkinson's disease, which is the most likely diagnosis based on the symptoms described.
C. This medication is the gold standard for treating Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowed movements), and postural instability. Carbidopa- levodopa helps to increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can improve motor function and reduce symptoms.
D. Riluzole is used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. It is not used to treat Parkinson's disease.
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