A physician tells the nurse that a patient's skull is normocephalic.
This finding during the physician's inspection reveals:
Increased intracranial pressure.
Round symmetric skull that is appropriately related to the body.
An abnormally large head.
Abnormally small head.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
A normocephalic skull indicates a normal head size and shape, not increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure typically manifests with symptoms like headache, altered mental status, and papilledema, and may or may not involve changes in head circumference depending on the patient's age and the chronicity of the pressure increase.
Choice B rationale
"Normocephalic" is a clinical term indicating that the patient's head is of a normal size and shape, appearing symmetrical and proportionally related to the rest of the body. This finding suggests the absence of conditions like microcephaly (abnormally small head) or macrocephaly (abnormally large head), reflecting healthy cranial development and morphology.
Choice C rationale
An abnormally large head is termed macrocephaly, which is distinctly different from normocephalic. Macrocephaly can be indicative of various underlying conditions, including hydrocephalus, genetic disorders, or brain tumors, leading to an enlarged skull circumference that deviates significantly from age and gender norms.
Choice D rationale
An abnormally small head is known as microcephaly, which is the opposite of normocephalic. Microcephaly is often associated with impaired brain development and can result from genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, or other congenital conditions, leading to a head circumference significantly below the expected range. .
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
An absent pulse (0) indicates no palpable pulsation, often due to an occlusion or severe vasoconstriction. This signifies a complete lack of blood flow through the vessel, requiring immediate medical attention to prevent tissue ischemia and necrosis.
Choice B rationale
A bounding pulse (4+) is characterized by a strong, easily palpable pulsation that is not easily obliterated by pressure. This can indicate conditions like fluid overload, hypertension, or hyperkinetic states, reflecting increased stroke volume or decreased peripheral resistance.
Choice C rationale
A weak pulse (1+) is characterized by a faint, barely palpable pulsation that is easily obliterated by pressure. This can be indicative of decreased stroke volume, hypovolemia, or peripheral artery disease, signifying reduced blood flow and perfusion.
Choice D rationale
A normal pulse (2+) is characterized by a readily palpable pulsation that is easily discernible and not easily obliterated by pressure. This finding indicates adequate cardiac output and peripheral perfusion, signifying healthy cardiovascular function within normal physiological parameters.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The peak plasma level represents the maximum concentration of a drug achieved in the bloodstream after administration. While half-life influences the time to reach steady state, it does not directly determine the magnitude of the peak plasma level, which is more dependent on dose, absorption rate, and distribution volume.
Choice B rationale
Onset of action refers to the time it takes for a drug to exert its therapeutic effects after administration. While related to pharmacokinetic properties, the half-life primarily dictates the duration of drug presence and accumulation, not the immediate time to initial effect, which is more influenced by absorption and distribution.
Choice C rationale
A drug's half-life is the time it takes for the plasma concentration of a drug to be reduced by 50%. This pharmacokinetic parameter is critical for determining appropriate dosing intervals to maintain therapeutic drug levels within a desired range over a 24-hour period, preventing accumulation or sub-therapeutic concentrations.
Choice D rationale
The duration of effectiveness refers to the length of time a drug produces its therapeutic effect. While the half-life influences how long a drug remains in the system, the duration of effectiveness is also dependent on the drug's mechanism of action, receptor binding, and the patient's individual physiological responses, not solely on half-life.
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