A nurse is assessing the mouth f a patient and during the inspection notes a black and hairy tongue. What type of infection does the patient have?
bacterial
fungal
parasite
viral
The Correct Answer is B
A) Bacterial: Bacterial infections in the mouth typically result in symptoms like foul odor, swelling, or pus, but they do not generally cause a black, hairy appearance on the tongue. A black, hairy tongue is more commonly associated with fungal overgrowth or other non-bacterial factors.
B) Fungal: A black, hairy tongue is often caused by an overgrowth of yeast or fungi, particularly Candida. This condition occurs when the normal balance of microorganisms in the mouth is disrupted, leading to the growth of fungi on the tongue’s papillae. These elongated, discolored papillae can trap food, bacteria, and dead cells, leading to a dark, furry appearance.
C) Parasite: Parasitic infections in the mouth are rare and usually cause symptoms such as sores, swelling, or difficulty swallowing, but they do not typically result in a black, hairy tongue. A parasitic infection would have a different set of symptoms and appearance.
D) Viral: Viral infections, such as those caused by the herpes simplex virus, can cause sores or ulcers in the mouth but do not typically cause a black, hairy appearance of the tongue. Viral infections might also cause symptoms like fever, pain, or swelling, but not this specific characteristic.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Oral Candidiasis: Oral candidiasis, also known as a yeast infection or thrush, typically presents as white patches or plaques on the mucosa, especially on the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth. These lesions are not usually painful unless they become irritated or infected. They are different from aphthous ulcers, which are small, round, and painful sores that occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
B) Thrush: Thrush is another term for oral candidiasis, caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans. As with oral candidiasis, thrush typically presents as white lesions or patches rather than painful, round, white lesions like those seen in aphthous ulcers. These lesions can often be scraped off, which distinguishes them from the painful lesions associated with aphthous ulcers.
C) Hepatic Disease: Hepatic disease can cause various symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, and abdominal discomfort, but it does not specifically lead to small, round, white painful lesions in the mouth. The lesions described in the question are more characteristic of aphthous ulcers rather than a systemic condition like hepatic disease.
D) Aphthous Ulcers: Aphthous ulcers, also known as canker sores, are small, round, painful lesions that commonly appear on the oral mucosa. These sores are typically white or yellow with a red border and are known to be painful, particularly when eating or talking. This condition is the most consistent with the symptoms described in the question, including the size, shape, and pain associated with the lesions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Ptosis: Ptosis refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid, often caused by muscle weakness or nerve damage. It does not describe the condition of unequal pupil sizes, which is the issue in the question. Ptosis affects eyelid position, not the pupil size.
B) Strabismus: Strabismus refers to the misalignment of the eyes, where they do not look in the same direction. This condition can cause one eye to turn inward, outward, upward, or downward, but it does not relate to unequal pupil size. Strabismus is a misalignment issue rather than a size discrepancy of the pupils.
C) Exophthalmos: Exophthalmos refers to the protrusion of the eyeballs, which can occur in conditions like Graves' disease. It does not pertain to unequal pupil sizes, but rather to the positioning of the eyes themselves.
D) Anisocoria: Anisocoria is the term used to describe a condition in which the pupils are unequal in size. This condition can be physiological (normal for some individuals) or pathological, and it can result from various causes such as neurological issues, trauma, or certain medications. This is the appropriate term to document when noting unequal pupil sizes.
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