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 B
Explanation
A. Applying pressure to the bleeding site helps control minor bleeding episodes in individuals with hemophilia by promoting clot formation and reducing blood flow.
B. Applying heat to a bleeding site is not recommended for individuals with hemophilia. Heat can dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow and potentially worsening the bleeding.
C. Elevating the affected part above the level of the heart can help reduce blood flow to the area and minimize swelling.
D. Rest is important during a bleeding episode to minimize movement and reduce the risk of further injury or bleeding.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Pyloric stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the pylorus, the opening between the stomach and the small intestine. This narrowing obstructs the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine, leading to symptoms such as projectile vomiting.
A. Red currant jelly stools are typically associated with intussusception - telescoping of one segment of the intestine into another.
C. Distended neck veins are not typically associated with pyloric stenosis. Distended neck veins may occur in conditions such as heart failure or superior vena cava obstruction.
D. Ridged abdomen: Pyloric stenosis may lead to a palpable olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, but a ridged abdomen is not a typical finding.
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