A patient has a heart attack that leads to progressive cell injury that causes cell death with severe cell swelling and breakdown of organelles and release of cellular debris. What term would the nurse use to define this process?
Necrosis.
Apoptosis.
Adaptation.
Pathologic calcification.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Necrosis is the term used to describe the death of cells or tissues through injury or disease, particularly when it involves severe cell swelling, breakdown of organelles, and release of cellular debris. This process is typically uncontrolled and results from factors such as lack of blood flow (ischemia), toxins, or trauma. In the context of a heart attack, necrosis occurs due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death and tissue damage.
Choice B Reason:
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in a controlled and regulated manner. It is a natural process that helps maintain homeostasis by eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells without causing inflammation. Unlike necrosis, apoptosis involves cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation, but it does not result in the release of cellular debris.
Choice C Reason:
Adaptation refers to the changes that cells undergo in response to stress or adverse conditions to survive and maintain function. These changes can include hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and metaplasia. Adaptation is a reversible process and does not involve cell death or the breakdown of cellular components.
Choice D Reason:
Pathologic calcification is the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues. It can occur in areas of necrosis (dystrophic calcification) or in normal tissues due to hypercalcemia (metastatic calcification). While pathologic calcification can be associated with cell injury and death, it is not the primary process described in the scenario of a heart attack leading to cell death with severe swelling and breakdown of organelles.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue, usually resulting in an increase in the size of the organ or tissue. This process is often a response to a stimulus and can be physiological or pathological. However, hyperplasia does not involve the replacement of one cell type with another, as seen in this case.
Choice B Reason:
Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal growth and development of cells within tissues or organs. It often indicates a precancerous condition and involves changes in cell size, shape, and organization. While dysplasia can occur in the respiratory tract, it does not describe the replacement of one type of epithelial cell with another.
Choice C Reason:
This is the correct answer. Metaplasia is the process by which one type of adult cell is replaced by another type of adult cell that is not typical for that tissue. In this case, the normal columnar ciliated cells in the bronchial airway have been replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells, a common adaptation in response to chronic irritation from smoking.
Choice D Reason:
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of cells, leading to an increase in the size of the affected organ or tissue. This process does not involve a change in cell type, making it an incorrect choice for this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Respiratory alkalosis occurs when a person breathes rapidly (hyperventilates), causing a decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. This reduction in CO2 leads to an increase in blood pH, resulting in alkalosis. Hyperventilation can be triggered by anxiety, fever, or other conditions that increase respiratory rate.
Choice B Reason:
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by an increase in bicarbonate (HCO3-) or a loss of hydrogen ions (H+), often due to vomiting, diuretic use, or excessive bicarbonate intake. It is not directly related to hyperventilation, which primarily affects CO2 levels rather than bicarbonate levels.
Choice C Reason:
Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of acid in the body or a loss of bicarbonate, often due to conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis, renal failure, or severe diarrhea. Hyperventilation does not cause metabolic acidosis; instead, it can be a compensatory response to metabolic acidosis to help lower CO2 levels and increase pH.
Choice D Reason:
Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation, where there is inadequate removal of CO2 from the body, leading to an increase in CO2 levels and a decrease in blood pH. This condition is the opposite of what occurs during hyperventilation, making this choice incorrect.
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