Neurologic Case Study
Patient Profile:
- Age: 68 years.
- Gender: Male.
- Medical History: Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
- Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin.
- Allergies: None.
Chief Complaint: The patient presents to the emergency department (ED) with a sudden onset of right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking that began approximately 1 hour prior to arrival.
What is a potential complication of the patient's condition?
Kidney failure
Aspiration pneumonia
Hypotension
Heart failure
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Kidney failure is not a common immediate complication related to the patient's presentation of sudden right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking, which are indicative of a stroke. Although diabetes and hypertension can eventually lead to kidney issues, this is not an acute complication.
Choice B reason: Aspiration pneumonia is a potential complication of the patient's condition, especially given the presence of expressive aphasia. Patients with neurological deficits, particularly those affecting speech and swallowing, are at higher risk of aspirating food or liquids into the lungs, leading to pneumonia.
Choice C reason: Hypotension is not commonly a direct complication of a stroke, especially considering the patient's elevated blood pressure. Stroke patients often present with hypertension rather than hypotension.
Choice D reason: Heart failure, while related to the patient's underlying conditions like hypertension and possibly diabetes, is not an immediate complication of the acute neurological event described. The focus should be more on the neurological and respiratory complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Synthroid (levothyroxine) is the most commonly prescribed medication for hypothyroidism. It is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), which replaces the deficient hormone in patients with hypothyroidism and helps normalize their thyroid function.
Choice B reason: PTU (Propylthiouracil) is typically used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
Choice C reason: Tapazole (methimazole) is also used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, similar to PTU. It is not used to treat hypothyroidism.
Choice D reason: Propranolol is a beta-blocker that is used to manage symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as tremors and palpitations. It does not treat hypothyroidism.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Checking the patient's temperature is important for assessing the severity of the pneumonia and monitoring for fever, but it is not the priority action before administering the first dose of vancomycin.
Choice B reason: Obtaining sputum cultures is the priority action because it allows for the identification of the causative organism and determination of its antibiotic susceptibility. This helps ensure that the prescribed antibiotic is appropriate for the patient's infection. Cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotic therapy to avoid interference with culture results.
Choice C reason: Checking the patient's blood pressure is important for overall patient assessment and monitoring, especially considering potential side effects of vancomycin. However, it is not the primary action needed before the first dose of the antibiotic.
Choice D reason: Drawing a blood specimen to evaluate the white blood cell count is useful for assessing the severity of the infection and the patient's immune response. However, this can be done after obtaining the sputum cultures and is not the immediate priority before administering the antibiotic.
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