A previously healthy, young adult had cardiopulmonary arrest during a football game and died. The nurse knows which explanation is the most likely cause of death?
Formation of a clot in the middle cerebral artery
Obstruction of left ventricular blood flow and cardiac dysrhythmias
Fluid volume overload and decreased serum potassium levels
Diffuse atherosclerosis in the left main coronary artery circulation
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Formation of a clot in the middle cerebral artery is not the most likely cause of death because it is a condition that affects the brain, not the heart. A clot in the middle cerebral artery can cause a stroke, which is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, resulting in brain damage and neurological deficits. A stroke can be fatal, but it does not usually cause cardiopulmonary arrest, which is a sudden cessation of heart and lung function.
Choice B reason: Obstruction of left ventricular blood flow and cardiac dysrhythmias is the most likely cause of death because it is a condition that affects the heart, which is the organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Obstruction of left ventricular blood flow can be caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a genetic disorder that causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick and stiff, reducing the amount of blood that the heart can pump. Cardiac dysrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can interfere with the electrical signals that control the heart's contractions. Both conditions can lead to sudden cardiac death, which is a sudden and unexpected loss of heart function, resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest.
Choice C reason: Fluid volume overload and decreased serum potassium levels are not the most likely cause of death because they are conditions that affect the fluid and electrolyte balance of the body, not the heart. Fluid volume overload is a condition where the body retains too much fluid, which can cause edema, hypertension, and heart failure. Decreased serum potassium levels are a condition where the blood has too little potassium, which is an electrolyte that helps regulate the nerve and muscle function, including the heart. Both conditions can affect the heart function, but they are not usually the direct cause of cardiopulmonary arrest.
Choice D reason: Diffuse atherosclerosis in the left main coronary artery circulation is not the most likely cause of death because it is a condition that affects the blood vessels, not the heart. Atherosclerosis is a disease that causes the buildup of plaque, which is a fatty substance, in the walls of the arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the organs. Diffuse atherosclerosis in the left main coronary artery circulation means that the plaque affects the entire length of the artery that supplies blood to the left side of the heart, which is the side that pumps blood to the rest of the body. Atherosclerosis can cause coronary artery disease, which is a condition where the heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen, leading to chest pain, angina, or heart attack. A heart attack can cause cardiopulmonary arrest, but it is not as common as sudden cardiac death in young adults.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Herpes simplex 2 virus is not the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis, but a different type of herpes virus that causes genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that causes painful blisters and ulcers in the genital area.
Choice B reason: Epstein-Barr virus is the best explanation for the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis. Epstein-Barr virus is a type of herpes virus that infects the B lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cells. It causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono or the kissing disease, which is a common infection that causes fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
Choice C reason: Hepatitis C virus is not the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis, but a different type of virus that causes hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection that affects the liver. It causes inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis of the liver, which may lead to liver failure or cancer.
Choice D reason: Rubella virus is not the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis, but a different type of virus that causes rubella. Rubella, also known as German measles, is a mild infection that causes a rash, fever, and swollen glands. It is preventable by vaccination and can be dangerous for pregnant women, as it may cause birth defects or miscarriage.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Fewer numbers of parietal cells in the gastric mucosa is not the best explanation because it is a condition that affects the production of gastric acid, not the development of duodenal ulcers. Parietal cells are the cells that secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps to digest food and kill bacteria, while intrinsic factor helps to absorb vitamin B12. Fewer numbers of parietal cells can cause hypochlorhydria, which is a low level of gastric acid, or pernicious anemia, which is a deficiency of vitamin B12. Hypochlorhydria can increase the risk of bacterial overgrowth and infections, while pernicious anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and neurological problems.
Choice B reason: Helicobacter pylori infection is the best explanation because it is the most common cause of duodenal ulcers, which are sores that form in the lining of the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can survive in the acidic environment of the stomach and the duodenum. It can damage the protective layer of mucus that covers the lining of the digestive tract, exposing it to the gastric acid and causing inflammation and ulceration. Helicobacter pylori infection can also increase the production of gastrin, which is a hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid, and decrease the production of somatostatin, which is a hormone that inhibits the secretion of gastric acid.
Choice C reason: Slowed gastric emptying is not the best explanation because it is a condition that affects the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, not the development of duodenal ulcers. Gastric emptying is the process of passing the food that has been partially digested in the stomach to the duodenum, where it is further broken down and absorbed. Slowed gastric emptying can be caused by various factors, such as diabetes, medications, or nerve damage, and can result in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, or fullness.
Choice D reason: Frequent use of acetaminophen is not the best explanation because it is a factor that affects the development of gastric ulcers, not duodenal ulcers. Acetaminophen is a type of medication that is used to relieve pain and fever. It can cause gastric ulcers by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are substances that protect the lining of the stomach from the gastric acid and promote healing. Acetaminophen can also cause liver damage if taken in high doses or for a long time.
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