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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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Vomiting is not a risk factor for a heart attack but rather a symptom that can occur during a heart attack. Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease. Vomiting can be a sign of various conditions, including gastrointestinal issues or even a heart attack, but it does not contribute to the risk of having a heart attack.
Choice B Reason:
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant risk factor for heart attacks. It causes the heart to work harder than normal, leading to the thickening of the heart muscle and narrowing of the arteries. Over time, this increased workload can damage the arteries, making them more susceptible to blockages that can cause a heart attack. Managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medication is crucial in reducing the risk of heart attacks.
Choice C Reason:
Chest pain is a common symptom of a heart attack but not a risk factor. Risk factors are pre-existing conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease. Chest pain, also known as angina, occurs when there is reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to blockages in the coronary arteries. While chest pain indicates a potential heart problem, it is not a contributing factor to the development of a heart attack.
Choice D Reason:
Cell necrosis refers to the death of cells, which can occur during a heart attack when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. This is a consequence of a heart attack rather than a risk factor. Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease, whereas cell necrosis is a result of the disease process.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Increased neuromuscular excitability is not typically associated with respiratory acidosis. Instead, respiratory acidosis can lead to symptoms such as confusion, fatigue, and shortness of breath due to the buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. Neuromuscular excitability is more commonly associated with conditions like hypocalcemia.
Choice B Reason:
This is the correct answer. Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body, leading to an accumulation of CO2 in the blood. This increase in CO2 results in the formation of carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the blood. The elevated levels of carbonic acid are a hallmark of respiratory acidosis.
Choice C Reason:
Increased pH is not associated with respiratory acidosis. In fact, respiratory acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and the subsequent increase in carbonic acid. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D Reason:
Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, is not typically associated with respiratory acidosis. Instead, respiratory acidosis can sometimes lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) due to the shift of potassium out of cells in response to the acidotic state. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
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