A patient is admitted for pain in the arm and jaw. The patient is later diagnosed with angina.
What type of pain does the arm and jaw pain most likely represent?
Intractable
Phantom
Referred
Cramping
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Intractable pain is pain that is persistent and does not respond to usual pain management methods. While angina can be intractable in some cases, it does not typically manifest as pain in the arm and jaw. Moreover, the patient in this scenario has not yet undergone pain management efforts, so it's premature to classify the pain as intractable.
Choice B rationale:
Phantom pain is pain that is felt in a part of the body that has been amputated or is no longer there. The patient in this scenario has not experienced any amputations, so phantom pain is not a valid explanation for the arm and jaw pain.
Choice C rationale:
Referred pain is pain that is felt in a part of the body that is different from the source of the pain. This is the most likely explanation for the arm and jaw pain in this patient. The heart and the arm and jaw share nerve pathways, so pain signals from the heart can be misinterpreted by the brain as coming from these other areas. This is a common phenomenon in patients with angina.
Choice D rationale:
Cramping pain is a type of pain that is often described as a muscle tightening or squeezing sensation. It is not typically associated with angina. While angina can sometimes cause chest tightness, it's not characterized by cramping in the arm and jaw.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein, often caused by an IV catheter. It's characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain along the vein.
Promptly discontinuing the IV infusion is crucial to prevent further irritation and potential complications such as: Thrombophlebitis (inflammation with clot formation)
Infection
Infiltration (leakage of fluids into surrounding tissues) Extravasation (leakage of vesicant or damaging medications)
Continuing the infusion could exacerbate the inflammation and increase the risk of these complications.
Choice A rationale:
Elevation of the extremity can help reduce swelling, but it does not address the underlying inflammation. It's often used as an adjunct measure after discontinuing the IV.
Choice C rationale:
Warm, moist compresses can provide some comfort and potentially promote blood flow, but they are not recommended as a first-line treatment for phlebitis. They may even worsen inflammation in some cases.
Choice D rationale:
Inserting an IV catheter in the opposite extremity is necessary if the patient still requires IV therapy, but it should not be done before addressing the phlebitis in the current site. This could lead to multiple sites of inflammation and increased risk of complications.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35), a high PaCO2 (greater than 45 mm Hg), and a normal or high HCO3 (22-26 mEq/L). It occurs when there is a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood due to impaired ventilation.
The patient's ABGs do not align with respiratory acidosis because the pH is elevated (7.6), and the PaCO2 is within the normal range (40 mm Hg).
Choice B rationale:
Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45), a low PaCO2 (less than 35 mm Hg), and a normal or low HCO3 (22-26 mEq/L). It occurs when there is excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation.
The patient's ABGs do not align with respiratory alkalosis because the HCO3 is elevated (32 mEq/L), which is not typical for this condition.
Choice C rationale:
Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35), a normal or low PaCO2 (less than 40 mm Hg), and a low HCO3 (less than 22 mEq/L). It occurs when there is an excess of acid in the body or a loss of bicarbonate.
The patient's ABGs do not align with metabolic acidosis because the pH is elevated (7.6), and the HCO3 is elevated (32 mEq/L).
Choice D rationale:
Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45), a normal or high PaCO2 (40-45 mm Hg), and an elevated HCO3 (greater than 26 mEq/L). It occurs when there is an excess of bicarbonate in the body or a loss of acid.
The patient's ABGs align with metabolic alkalosis because of the high pH (7.6), normal PaCO2 (40 mm Hg), and elevated HCO3 (32 mEq/L).
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