A patient has been diagnosed with secondary hypertension. The nurse understands that secondary hypertension:
leads to extensive organ damage in most cases.
has no known cause.
will resolve when the underlying condition is treated.
is known as the silent killer.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
While secondary hypertension can cause organ damage if left untreated, this is not its defining characteristic. Both primary and secondary hypertension can lead to complications like stroke, kidney failure, and heart disease. The distinguishing factor of secondary hypertension is its etiology rather than its severity. Organ damage is often more a function of the duration and magnitude of the blood pressure elevation rather than whether the underlying cause is identified or is considered to be idiopathic in nature.
Choice B rationale
This statement describes primary or essential hypertension, which accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all hypertension cases. Primary hypertension has no single identifiable cause and is thought to result from a complex interaction of genetics and lifestyle factors. Secondary hypertension, by definition, has a specific, identifiable underlying cause. Common causes of secondary hypertension include chronic kidney disease, primary aldosteronism, renovascular disease, sleep apnea, or certain medications like oral contraceptives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Choice C rationale
Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that is caused by another medical condition. Because it is a symptom of an underlying issue, treating that specific condition often results in the blood pressure returning to normal or becoming much easier to manage. For example, if a patient has a pheochromocytoma, removing the tumor usually cures the hypertension. This distinguishes it from essential hypertension, which requires lifelong management with lifestyle changes and medications because the root cause cannot be definitively removed.
Choice D rationale
The term silent killer is used to describe hypertension in general, both primary and secondary, because it often has no obvious symptoms while it causes progressive damage to the cardiovascular system. Patients can have dangerously high blood pressure for years without feeling any different. However, this nickname does not specifically define what secondary hypertension is or how it differs from the primary form. The focus of the term is on the asymptomatic nature of high blood pressure rather than its underlying cause.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The frontal lobe is the center for higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, social behavior, and personality expression. It contains the prefrontal cortex, which regulates impulses and emotional responses. Damage to this area frequently results in significant personality changes, impulsivity, or lack of social inhibition. Because this region governs how a person interacts with their environment and manages their character traits, injury there often transforms a patient's baseline temperament and behavioral patterns.
Choice B rationale
Loss of vision is associated with damage to the occipital lobe, located at the very back of the brain. The occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual stimuli and interpreting information sent from the retinas. Even if the eyes are healthy, an injury to this posterior region can result in blindness or visual field deficits. Since the frontal lobe does not primarily process visual data, sight loss would not be the expected finding for a frontal injury.
Choice C rationale
Speech difficulty specifically related to the motor production of words is linked to Broca's area, which is located in the frontal lobe. However, when assessing "personality changes" versus "speech difficulty" in a broad clinical context for frontal lobe injury, personality is the most comprehensive answer for the entire lobe's function. While Broca's aphasia is a frontal issue, personality changes represent the vast executive functions of the prefrontal areas that comprise most of the lobe.
Choice D rationale
Hearing loss is typically associated with injury to the temporal lobes, which are located on the sides of the brain near the ears. The primary auditory cortex resides in the superior temporal gyrus and is responsible for receiving and interpreting sound frequencies. Damage to this area results in the inability to perceive or understand auditory information. The frontal lobe is not involved in the primary sensory pathway for hearing, making this an unlikely symptom of frontal trauma.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Aphasia is a neurological communication disorder resulting from damage to the language centers of the brain, typically the left hemisphere. It affects the ability to speak, write, and understand language. It does not relate to the physical act of swallowing or the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. Patients with aphasia may have perfectly functional swallowing mechanisms but cannot find the words to express their needs or understand verbal instructions given to them.
Choice B rationale
Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. it can occur in the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal phases of swallowing. It is often caused by neurological conditions like stroke, or mechanical obstructions such as tumors or strictures. Dysphagia increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Normal swallowing is a coordinated process involving multiple cranial nerves. Assessment often includes a bedside swallow evaluation or a modified barium swallow study to determine the safety of oral intake.
Choice C rationale
Dyspnea is the clinical term for shortness of breath or difficult, labored breathing. It is a subjective sensation of breathlessness reported by the patient. While dyspnea and swallowing difficulties can coexist, especially in patients with neuromuscular respiratory failure, they are distinct physiological processes. Dyspnea relates to the respiratory system and gas exchange, whereas the finding mentioned in the prompt specifically identifies an issue with the digestive tract's upper entry point and the coordination of swallowing.
Choice D rationale
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. It is a symptom of coronary artery disease. The pain is often described as pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest. Angina is related to cardiovascular ischemia and is entirely unrelated to the mechanical or neurological process of swallowing food or liquids. Treatment usually involves nitroglycerin or beta-blockers to reduce the oxygen demand of the myocardium.
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