A patient who is disoriented and reports a headache and muscle cramps is hospitalized with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which initial laboratory result would the nurse expect?

Choice A reason:
Receiving a blood transfusion after 1992 does not strongly indicate the need for hepatitis C screening because screening of blood products for hepatitis C became standard practice in the early 1990s. By 2005, the risk of transmission via transfusion had been effectively eliminated. Therefore, while a past transfusion may be part of the patient's health history, it does not necessitate hepatitis C screening in this case.
Choice B reason:
Intravenous drug use, even if it occurred 20 years ago, is a significant risk factor for hepatitis C infection. The virus is commonly transmitted through the sharing of needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. Due to the long latency period of hepatitis C, individuals with a history of IV drug use are at high risk and should be screened regardless of how long ago the exposure occurred. This is the most relevant information in the patient’s history to prompt screening.
Choice C reason:
Frequent dining in fast-food restaurants does not indicate a risk for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, not through food or drink. This choice reflects a misunderstanding of the transmission pathways of hepatitis C and is irrelevant to the patient’s screening needs.
Choice D reason:
Traveling to a country with poor sanitation is more associated with the risk of hepatitis A, a virus that is often spread through contaminated water or food. Hepatitis C, however, is not typically transmitted via poor sanitation or contaminated food and water. Screening for hepatitis C would not be warranted based solely on travel history to such countries.

Choice A reason: While CT or MRI scans can be helpful in identifying structural changes in the brain associated with dementia, such as atrophy or the presence of strokes, they are not sufficient on their own to diagnose dementia. These imaging techniques are often used to rule out other causes of cognitive impairment and to support a clinical diagnosis, but they do not provide a complete picture of a patient's cognitive function.
Choice B reason: Patient history and cognitive assessment are the primary methods for diagnosing dementia. The clinical diagnosis is based on a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical history, including any changes in cognitive function, behavior, and daily living activities. Cognitive assessments, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), are used to evaluate memory, attention, language, and other cognitive abilities. These assessments help to determine the presence and severity of cognitive impairment and differentiate dementia from other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
Choice C reason: A brain biopsy is not a standard procedure for diagnosing dementia. It is an invasive procedure that involves taking a small sample of brain tissue for examination under a microscope. While it can provide definitive information about certain types of dementia, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, it is rarely used due to its invasiveness and associated risks.
Choice D reason: An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. It can be useful in diagnosing certain neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, but it is not typically used to diagnose dementia. EEGs do not provide detailed information about cognitive function or the structural changes in the brain associated with dementia.