An adolescent boy is admitted with the following symptoms: Slow onset of recurrent low-grade fever, fatigue, weakness, joint and muscle aches, loss of appetite, weight loss and diaphoresis.
On assessment the nurse auscultates a new heart murmur, splenomegaly, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages under the nails and Osler nodes (red, painful non-hemorrhagic nodules on the pads of fingers and toes.
Which of the following Acquired Heart Diseases does this best represent?
Infective endocarditis
Tetralogy of Fallot
Acute rheumatic fever
Pulmonary hypertension
The Correct Answer is A
A. The symptoms described, including slow onset of recurrent low-grade fever, fatigue, weakness, joint and muscle aches, loss of appetite, weight loss, and diaphoresis, along with the presence of a new heart murmur, splenomegaly, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and Osler nodes, are classic signs and symptoms of infective endocarditis (IE).
B. Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect characterized by four specific abnormalities in the heart's structure. The symptoms described do not align with the characteristic features of Tetralogy of Fallot.
C. Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can develop as a complication of untreated streptococcal infections, particularly strep throat. While it can lead to heart valve damage (rheumatic heart disease), the symptoms described are more indicative of infective endocarditis rather than acute rheumatic fever.
D. Pulmonary hypertension is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. While it can present with symptoms such as fatigue and weakness, it typically does not manifest with the constellation of symptoms described, including fever, joint and muscle aches, and the presence of Osler nodes and splinter hemorrhages.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that arises from immature nerve cells and commonly affects infants and young children. While it can occur in the abdomen, it is not primarily a renal tumor.
B. Ewing sarcoma is a type of bone cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents. It typically arises in the bones of the pelvis, legs, arms, ribs, or spine. While it can involve the abdominal area if it metastasizes (spreads), it is not primarily an intra-abdominal tumor.
C. Osteosarcoma commonly arises in the long bones of the arms and legs. While it can spread to other parts of the body, including the abdomen, it is primarily a bone tumor.
D. Wilms' tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is the most common malignant renal (kidney) tumor of childhood. It typically occurs in children around 2 to 5 years old and is often detected as a firm, non- tender abdominal mass.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The symptoms described, including slow onset of recurrent low-grade fever, fatigue, weakness, joint and muscle aches, loss of appetite, weight loss, and diaphoresis, along with the presence of a new heart murmur, splenomegaly, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages under the nails, and Osler nodes, are classic signs and symptoms of infective endocarditis (IE).
B. Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect characterized by four specific abnormalities in the heart's structure. The symptoms described do not align with the characteristic features of Tetralogy of Fallot.
C. Acute rheumatic fever is an inflammatory condition that can develop as a complication of untreated streptococcal infections, particularly strep throat. While it can lead to heart valve damage (rheumatic heart disease), the symptoms described are more indicative of infective endocarditis rather than acute rheumatic fever.
D. Pulmonary hypertension is a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. While it can present with symptoms such as fatigue and weakness, it typically does not manifest with the constellation of symptoms described, including fever, joint and muscle aches, and the presence of Osler nodes and splinter hemorrhages.
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