What complication occurs when a person has Cushing syndrome?
Increased pigmentation of the skin
Increased weight loss
Decreased blood pressure
Decreased immune response
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Increased skin pigmentation is associated with Addison’s disease due to elevated ACTH stimulating melanocytes. Cushing syndrome, caused by excess cortisol, typically causes skin thinning and bruising, not hyperpigmentation. The excess cortisol does not directly affect melanin production, making this choice incorrect.
Choice B reason: Cushing syndrome leads to weight gain, not weight loss, due to cortisol’s promotion of fat deposition in central areas (e.g., abdomen, face). Increased appetite and altered metabolism contribute to obesity, not weight loss, making this choice incorrect as it contradicts the metabolic effects of hypercortisolism.
Choice C reason: Cushing syndrome often causes hypertension, not decreased blood pressure, due to cortisol’s mineralocorticoid effects, increasing sodium retention and vascular resistance. Decreased blood pressure is more associated with adrenal insufficiency, making this choice incorrect as it does not align with Cushing syndrome’s pathophysiology.
Choice D reason: Cushing syndrome, characterized by excess cortisol, suppresses the immune system by inhibiting inflammatory responses and reducing lymphocyte activity. This increases susceptibility to infections and impairs wound healing, making decreased immune response a hallmark complication, which is why this choice is correct.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm) is a life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism, where excessive thyroid hormone release causes severe metabolic and cardiovascular symptoms. Triggers like infection or stress exacerbate thyroid activity, making this the correct disorder associated with thyrotoxic crisis.
Choice B reason: Hypothyroidism involves deficient thyroid hormone production, causing slowed metabolism, not thyrotoxic crisis, which requires excessive hormone levels. Low thyroid activity cannot lead to the hypermetabolic state of thyroid storm, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C reason: Addison’s disease involves adrenal insufficiency, reducing cortisol and aldosterone, unrelated to thyroid function. Thyrotoxic crisis stems from thyroid hormone excess, not adrenal issues, making this choice incorrect for the described complication.
Choice D reason: Diabetes mellitus affects glucose metabolism, not thyroid function. Thyrotoxic crisis is driven by thyroid hormone excess, causing metabolic and cardiovascular instability, not related to insulin or glucose dysregulation, making this choice incorrect.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Poison ivy causes a type IV (cell-mediated) hypersensitivity reaction, where T-cells react to urushiol, triggering a delayed inflammatory response. This leads to dermatitis with itching and rash, making this the correct choice.
Choice B reason: Allergic hypersensitivity is a broad term, often referring to type I (IgE-mediated) reactions, like anaphylaxis. Poison ivy involves T-cell-mediated delayed hypersensitivity, not immediate allergic responses, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C reason: Immune complex hypersensitivity (type III) involves antigen-antibody complexes causing tissue damage, as in lupus. Poison ivy reactions are T-cell-driven, not immune complex-mediated, making this choice incorrect for the reaction.
Choice D reason: Cytotoxic hypersensitivity (type II) involves antibodies attacking cell surface antigens, as in hemolytic anemia. Poison ivy causes a T-cell-mediated skin reaction, not antibody-driven cytotoxicity, making this choice incorrect.
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