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: Decreased skin turgor is not the most common clinical manifestation of nephrotic syndrome because it is a sign of dehydration, not nephrotic syndrome. Dehydration is a condition where the body loses more fluid than it takes in, which can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and firmness. Dehydration can be caused by various factors, such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or excessive sweating.
Choice B reason: Hypoalbuminemia is the most common clinical manifestation of nephrotic syndrome because it is a condition where the blood has a low level of albumin, which is a protein that helps maintain the fluid balance in the body. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes the kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine, which reduces the amount of protein in the blood. Albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood, and it helps to keep the fluid in the blood vessels, preventing it from leaking into the tissues. When the albumin level is low, the fluid can escape from the blood vessels and cause edema, which is swelling of the body parts.
Choice C reason: Decreased serum cholesterol is not the most common clinical manifestation of nephrotic syndrome because it is a condition where the blood has a low level of cholesterol, which is a type of fat that is needed for the synthesis of hormones, bile acids, and cell membranes. Decreased serum cholesterol is not a common finding in nephrotic syndrome, because the liver tends to produce more cholesterol to compensate for the loss of protein in the urine. This can lead to hypercholesterolemia, which is a condition where the blood has a high level of cholesterol, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Choice D reason: Increased serum sodium is not the most common clinical manifestation of nephrotic syndrome because it is a condition where the blood has a high level of sodium, which is an electrolyte that helps regulate the fluid and acid-base balance in the body. Increased serum sodium is not a common finding in nephrotic syndrome, because the kidneys tend to excrete more sodium in the urine to balance the fluid loss caused by hypoalbuminemia. This can lead to hyponatremia, which is a condition where the blood has a low level of sodium, which can cause symptoms such as confusion, weakness, seizures, and coma.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Uric acid is the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the blood has a high level of uric acid, which is a waste product that results from the breakdown of purines, which are substances found in some foods and drinks, such as meat, seafood, and beer. Uric acid can form crystals in the joints, causing inflammation and pain, which is known as gout. Uric acid can also form crystals in the urine, causing kidney stones, which are hard deposits of minerals and salts that can block the urinary tract and cause symptoms such as severe pain, blood in the urine, nausea, and fever.
Choice B reason: Struvite is not the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the urine has a high level of ammonia, which is a chemical that results from the breakdown of urea, which is a waste product that is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Ammonia can form crystals in the urine, along with magnesium, phosphate, and carbonate, creating struvite stones, which are large and staghorn-shaped stones that can fill the entire kidney or the ureter. Struvite stones are usually associated with urinary tract infections, which are caused by bacteria that produce enzymes that increase the urine pH and the ammonia level.
Choice C reason: Cystine is not the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the urine has a high level of cystine, which is an amino acid that is a building block of proteins. Cystine can form crystals in the urine, causing kidney stones, which are rare and hereditary. Cystine stones are caused by a genetic disorder that affects the transport of cystine and other amino acids in the kidneys, resulting in excessive excretion of cystine in the urine.
Choice D reason: Calcium oxalate is not the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the urine has a high level of calcium and oxalate, which are substances that are normally present in the diet and the body. Calcium and oxalate can form crystals in the urine, causing kidney stones, which are the most common type of kidney stones in the general population, but not in clients with gout. Calcium oxalate stones can be caused by various factors, such as dehydration, high intake of animal protein, low intake of fluids, and certain medications.
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