A patient who has been in the hospital for 3 months starts to experience white patches on their tongue and roof of their mouth, they also have trouble swallowing, what do they likely have?
Oral thrush.
Bad breath.
An ulcer.
Nothing.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: White patches on the tongue and mouth with dysphagia indicate oral thrush, a Candida albicans infection, common in hospitalized patients due to immunosuppression or antibiotics. Antifungal treatment is needed to prevent esophageal spread. Accurate diagnosis ensures timely therapy, critical for relieving symptoms and avoiding complications in vulnerable patients.
Choice B reason: Bad breath (halitosis) may accompany oral issues but doesn’t cause white patches or dysphagia, which indicate thrush. Assuming bad breath misdiagnoses the condition, delaying antifungal treatment and risking progression of Candida infection, potentially leading to systemic complications in long-term hospitalized patients with compromised immunity.
Choice C reason: Oral ulcers cause painful sores, not white patches or widespread dysphagia, unlike thrush’s creamy lesions. Misidentifying as ulcers risks inappropriate treatment, delaying antifungals needed for Candida. This error could worsen swallowing difficulties, compromising nutrition and recovery in hospitalized patients with suspected oral infections.
Choice D reason: Assuming nothing ignores white patches and dysphagia, clear signs of oral thrush in hospitalized patients. Neglecting these risks untreated Candida infection, potentially spreading to the esophagus or systemically, especially in immunocompromised patients. Prompt recognition and antifungal therapy are critical to prevent complications and ensure patient comfort.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Painful urination, or dysuria, involves discomfort during voiding, often due to urinary tract infections or inflammation. It is not synonymous with nocturia, which specifically refers to frequent nighttime urination. Dysuria requires distinct clinical evaluation, including urinalysis, to identify causes like bacterial infection or urethral irritation, making this an incorrect description of the patient’s complaint.
Choice B reason: Nocturia is the medical term for frequent urination at night, disrupting sleep. In elderly patients, it may result from reduced bladder capacity, overactive bladder, or conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia. This matches the patient’s complaint, as it directly addresses the symptom without implying unrelated issues like pain or incontinence, making it the accurate choice.
Choice C reason: Bladder incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage, distinct from nocturia, which is voluntary urination at night. Incontinence may stem from neurological disorders or weakened pelvic muscles but does not describe the patient’s symptom of frequent nighttime voiding. This choice is incorrect, as it misaligns with the clinical presentation described.
Choice D reason: An inability to void, or urinary retention, is the opposite of nocturia, where the patient voids frequently. Retention may result from obstructions like an enlarged prostate or neurological issues, requiring catheterization or imaging for diagnosis. This choice does not reflect the patient’s symptom of active, frequent urination at night.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Limited ability to reposition is a major risk factor for pressure injuries, as immobility increases pressure on bony prominences, reducing blood flow and causing tissue ischemia. This leads to skin breakdown, particularly in bedridden patients, making it a critical factor in pressure ulcer development.
Choice B reason: Requiring stand-by assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs) indicates some mobility, as the patient can perform tasks with supervision. This does not inherently increase pressure injury risk, unlike immobility or moisture, making it the least relevant risk factor among the choices.
Choice C reason: Poor nutritional state is a risk factor for pressure injuries, as malnutrition impairs skin integrity and wound healing. Deficiencies in protein or vitamins reduce tissue resilience, increasing susceptibility to pressure-induced damage, particularly in elderly or debilitated patients.
Choice D reason: Moisture from incontinence, wound drainage, or perspiration softens skin, increasing friction and shear forces, which heighten pressure injury risk. It compromises skin barrier function, promoting maceration and ulceration, making it a significant contributor to pressure ulcer formation.
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