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What is encephalitis and what best describes the most common cause of encephalitis?

A.

Inflammation of the spinal cord: viral infection

B.

A tumor of the brain

C.

Inflammation of the brain tissue; viral infection

D.

Infection of the meninges: bacterial infection

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Inflammation of the spinal cord: viral infection: This describes myelitis, which specifically affects the spinal cord, not encephalitis, which involves brain tissue inflammation.

B. A tumor of the brain: A brain tumor is a neoplastic growth and does not describe encephalitis, which is an inflammatory condition of the brain.

C. Inflammation of the brain tissue; viral infection: Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most commonly caused by viral infections such as herpes simplex virus, which directly infect and inflame brain tissue.

D. Infection of the meninges: bacterial infection: This describes meningitis, an infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, not encephalitis, which affects the brain tissue itself.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Hemorrhage: Hemorrhage leads to significant blood loss, resulting in decreased blood volume and reduced renal perfusion, which is a common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI).

B. Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis can cause systemic vasodilation and reduced effective circulating volume, leading to decreased renal blood flow and prerenal failure due to impaired kidney perfusion.

C. Kidney disease: Kidney disease itself is an intrinsic (renal) cause of kidney failure, involving direct damage to the kidney tissue, rather than prerenal failure caused by decreased perfusion.

D. Narrowing of the blood vessels leading to the kidneys: Renal artery stenosis reduces blood flow to the kidneys, causing prerenal failure by impairing kidney perfusion despite adequate circulating volume.

Correct Answer is []

Explanation

Potential Condition: Hepatic Encephalopathy

  • The client has very high ammonia levels (236 mcg/dL), elevated liver enzymes, and low albumin, all pointing toward hepatic encephalopathy. Additional signs include a history of alcohol abuse, cirrhosis, and altered liver function, which commonly contribute to ammonia accumulation and neurotoxicity.

Actions to Take:

  • Administer lactulose: Helps lower serum ammonia by promoting its excretion via the GI tract.

  • Assess for asterixis: A classic sign of hepatic encephalopathy characterized by a flapping tremor of the hands.

Parameters to Monitor:

  • Neurologic status: To detect changes in mental status or worsening encephalopathy.

  • Safety measures: Clients with hepatic encephalopathy are at high risk for confusion, falls, and injury, necessitating close supervision and safety interventions.

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