A nurse is caring for a 45-year-old male client on a medical-surgical unit.
Select 1 condition and 1 client finding to fill in each blank in the following sentence: The client is at highest risk for developing
The Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"E"}
The client is at highest risk for developing Pneumocystis pneumonia due to their CD4 T-cell count.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection commonly seen in clients with AIDS, especially when the CD4 T-cell count drops below 200/mm³.
- This client’s CD4 count is around 198–200/mm³, placing them at high risk for PCP.
- Respiratory findings and oxygen saturation may help identify existing pneumonia but do not explain the risk as directly as CD4 count.
- Diarrhea and potassium level relate more to hydration and electrolyte balance, not directly to the risk of PCP.
- Impaired gas exchange or cardiac dysrhythmias are possible complications but secondary to infection risk from low immunity.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Circumoral cyanosis, a bluish discoloration around the mouth, is a direct clinical manifestation of hypoxemia. This occurs due to an increased concentration of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the capillaries, reflecting inadequate oxygen saturation in the arterial blood. The normal oxygen saturation is typically above 95%, indicating efficient oxygen transport.
Choice B rationale
Lethargy in a client with hypoxemia is a neurological symptom resulting from cerebral hypoxia. The brain, being highly dependent on a continuous supply of oxygen, experiences impaired cellular metabolism and reduced neuronal activity when oxygen levels are insufficient, leading to altered consciousness and sluggishness.
Choice C rationale
A pulse oximetry reading of 90% on room air indicates hypoxemia. Normal pulse oximetry readings typically range from 95% to 100%. A reading of 90% signifies that the arterial oxygen saturation is significantly below the physiological range required for optimal cellular function, thus supporting hypoxemia.
Choice D rationale
A heart rate of 86 beats per minute, while slightly elevated from a typical resting heart rate of 60-100, is not a definitive indicator of hypoxemia in isolation. Tachycardia can be a compensatory mechanism for hypoxemia, as the heart attempts to increase oxygen delivery. However, this specific rate itself does not confirm hypoxemia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While polycystic kidney disease (PKD) involves cysts that compress renal tissue, leading to kidney destruction, this is a specific genetic disorder and not the general mechanism by which chronic renal disease typically develops in a client with a history of hypertension. PKD is a distinct etiology.
Choice B rationale
Thickening of kidney structures and gradual death of nephrons can occur in various chronic kidney diseases; however, it's often a consequence rather than the primary cause directly stemming from hypertension. Hypertension's direct impact is on renal vasculature and perfusion, leading to structural changes.
Choice C rationale
Immune complex formation leading to inflammation is characteristic of glomerulonephritis, an autoimmune or infection-related kidney disease. This mechanism is distinct from the pathogenesis of chronic renal disease caused by long-standing hypertension, which primarily affects renal microvasculature.
Choice D rationale
Chronic hypertension directly damages the renal arterioles, leading to nephrosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This persistent elevated pressure reduces renal blood flow (ischemia) and causes glomerular and tubular damage, leading to nephron loss and progressive kidney dysfunction.
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