A patient has three separate blood pressure (BP) readings of 120/100, 138/92 mm Hg, and 126/96 mm Hg. Which category describes this pattern of BP?

Normal

Isolated systolic hypertension

Hypertension

Prehypertension

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Normal BP is below 120/80 mm Hg. These readings, with diastolic consistently above 90 mm Hg, indicate hypertension, not normal BP, so this is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Isolated systolic hypertension involves systolic BP ≥130 mm Hg with diastolic <80 mm Hg. High diastolic readings rule this out, so this is incorrect for the pattern.

Choice C reason: BP readings above 130/80 mm Hg, especially with diastolic ≥90 mm Hg, classify as hypertension (Stage 2). This matches the patient’s pattern, making it the correct category.

Choice D reason: Prehypertension is 120–129/<80 mm Hg. These readings exceed this with high diastolic values, indicating hypertension, so this is incorrect for the BP pattern.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason is that Zithromax (azithromycin) is not linked to cancer in women; this is inaccurate. QT prolongation is a known risk, especially in elderly patients with cardiac issues, so this is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Azithromycin can prolong the QT interval, risking arrhythmias, particularly in older women with heart rhythm issues. This explains the different prescribing, making it the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Zithromax’s effectiveness is not gender-specific; efficacy depends on the infection, not sex. The cardiac risk is the concern, so this is incorrect for the explanation.

Choice D reason: Cost or insurance is irrelevant to the medical decision. QT prolongation risk in this patient’s profile drives the choice, so this is incorrect.

A. Respiratory alkalosis B. Respiratory acidosis C. Metabolic alkalosis D. Metabolic acidosis

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Respiratory alkalosis involves low PaCO2 (<35 mm Hg) due to hyperventilation, raising pH. Here, pH is 7.31 (acidic), PaCO2 is 41 mm Hg (normal), and HCO3- is 20 mEq/L (low), indicating a metabolic cause, not respiratory, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis requires elevated PaCO2 (>45 mm Hg), lowering pH. With PaCO2 at 41 mm Hg (normal) and low HCO3- (20 mEq/L), the acidosis stems from reduced bicarbonate, not CO2 retention, ruling out respiratory acidosis and making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Metabolic alkalosis involves high HCO3- (>26 mEq/L) and elevated pH. Here, pH is 7.31 (acidic) and HCO3- is 20 mEq/L (low), indicating acidosis, not alkalosis. The low bicarbonate points to a metabolic cause, making this choice incorrect for the ABG values.

Choice D reason: pH 7.31 (acidic), PaCO2 41 mm Hg (normal), and HCO3- 20 mEq/L (low) indicate metabolic acidosis, likely from conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis. No respiratory compensation (normal PaCO2) confirms uncompensated metabolic acidosis, making this the correct choice for the imbalance.

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A patient has three separate blood pressure (BP) readings of 120/100, 138/92 mm Hg, and 126/96 mm Hg. Which category describes this pattern of BP?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A female patient is questioning the nurse on why she can’t explain the same 5-day antibiotic (Zithromax) that her husband received. The patient is 65 with a history of and has an abnormal heart rhythm. The nurse explains that:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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