A nurse is caring for a patient who has myasthenia gravis.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
Peripheral edema.
Drooping eyelids.
Loss of cognitive function.
Fluctuations in heart rate.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
Peripheral edema, characterized by swelling in the extremities due to fluid retention, is not a typical manifestation of myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting neuromuscular transmission, leading to muscle weakness rather than fluid imbalances.
Choice B rationale
Drooping eyelids, also known as ptosis, is a very common and often early symptom of myasthenia gravis. It results from weakness of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle due to impaired acetylcholine receptor function at the neuromuscular junction, a hallmark of the disease.
Choice C rationale
Myasthenia gravis primarily affects voluntary muscles and does not typically cause loss of cognitive function. Cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, are generally preserved in patients with this condition, distinguishing it from neurological disorders that directly impact the brain.
Choice D rationale
Fluctuations in heart rate are not a characteristic finding in myasthenia gravis. While severe generalized muscle weakness can indirectly impact respiratory and cardiovascular function, the disease itself does not directly cause dysregulation of heart rate. Heart rate is typically regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Ciprofloxacin absorption can be significantly impaired by antacids containing aluminum, magnesium, or calcium. These antacids bind to ciprofloxacin, forming insoluble complexes that reduce the antibiotic's bioavailability, thus diminishing its effectiveness in treating the infection.
Choice B rationale
Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, carries a black box warning for increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. Patients should be instructed to monitor for tendon pain, especially in the Achilles tendon, and report it immediately to prevent severe and permanent injury.
Choice C rationale
Limiting fluid intake is contraindicated when taking ciprofloxacin for a UTI. Adequate hydration is crucial to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract and prevent crystalluria, a potential side effect where drug crystals form in the urine, which can lead to kidney damage.
Choice D rationale
Ciprofloxacin does not typically cause urine to turn dark orange. This side effect is more commonly associated with other medications, such as rifampin or phenazopyridine (a urinary analgesic), and is not an expected or normal finding when taking ciprofloxacin.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While deficits in mobility can indirectly impact urinary habits, leading to issues like delayed toileting, they are not a primary physiological cause of the specific symptoms of frequency, retention, and dribbling in an elderly male. These symptoms often stem from underlying anatomical or functional changes within the genitourinary system itself.
Choice B rationale
Prostate enlargement, specifically benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a very common condition in elderly males. The enlarged prostate gland compresses the urethra, leading to increased urinary frequency due to bladder irritation, urinary retention due to outflow obstruction, and dribbling as a result of incomplete bladder emptying. This is a direct physiological cause.
Choice C rationale
While some changes in urinary patterns can occur with aging, urinary retention and dribbling are not considered "normal" symptoms. They indicate a potential underlying pathology requiring investigation, not just an expected part of the aging process. Normal aging might involve slight increases in frequency but not significant retention.
Choice D rationale
Coughing or sneezing can sometimes lead to stress incontinence in individuals with weakened pelvic floor muscles, resulting in involuntary urine leakage. However, this differs from the symptoms of urinary retention and dribbling, which are more indicative of an obstructive process within the urinary tract.
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