Polycythemia has a plethora of neurological changes. What is the primary cause of these symptoms?
Decreased erythrocyte count
Tissue destruction by macrophages
Increased blood viscosity
Hypoxia
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Polycythemia involves an increased erythrocyte count, not a decrease. A low erythrocyte count causes anemia, leading to fatigue or hypoxia, not the neurological symptoms like headaches or dizziness seen in polycythemia, making this an incorrect cause.
Choice B reason: Tissue destruction by macrophages is not a primary feature of polycythemia. It may occur in inflammatory conditions, but polycythemia’s neurological symptoms stem from blood flow changes, not macrophage activity, making this an incorrect cause.
Choice C reason: Increased blood viscosity, due to elevated red blood cell mass in polycythemia, impairs cerebral blood flow, causing neurological symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and confusion. This sluggish circulation directly affects brain perfusion, making it the primary cause of these symptoms.
Choice D reason: Hypoxia occurs in conditions with inadequate oxygen delivery, like anemia or lung disease. Polycythemia increases oxygen-carrying capacity but causes symptoms due to viscous blood flow, not hypoxia, making this an incorrect primary cause.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Acute pancreatitis is likely, given severe abdominal pain, elevated amylase and lipase, fever, hypotension (89/46 mm Hg), tachycardia (116 bpm), and alcohol history. These are classic signs, with C-reactive protein indicating inflammation, making this the first suspected diagnosis for this patient.
Choice B reason: Cholecystitis causes right upper quadrant pain and fever but is less associated with elevated amylase/lipase or severe hypotension. Pancreatitis aligns better with the patient’s alcohol use, vital signs, and lab results, so this is incorrect as the primary suspicion.
Choice C reason: Hepatitis C may cause liver inflammation but not acute abdominal pain or elevated amylase/lipase. The patient’s acute symptoms, alcohol history, and vital signs point to pancreatitis, not a chronic viral infection, making this incorrect for the first diagnosis.
Choice D reason: Liver cirrhosis is chronic, not acute, and doesn’t typically cause sudden pain or elevated amylase/lipase. Acute pancreatitis matches the patient’s acute presentation, alcohol use, and lab findings, so cirrhosis is incorrect as the initial suspected diagnosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count (<150,000/mm³), not >100,000/mm³, which may still be normal or low-normal. A count <150,000 defines the condition, so this is incorrect.
Choice B reason: Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count less than 150,000/mm³, increasing bleeding risk. This accurately describes the condition, making it the correct choice for the definition.
Choice C reason: Thrombocytopenia causes bleeding, not increased clotting, due to low platelets. Clotting issues arise from high platelets, so this is incorrect for thrombocytopenia’s effects.
Choice D reason: Thrombocytopenia results from decreased platelet production or increased destruction, not increased production. Low platelet count defines it, so this is incorrect for the cause.
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