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What is the best explanation of a pneumothorax?

A.

Blood in your chest cavity

B.

Air in the pleural space

C.

Pus in the pleural space

D.

Collapse of small airways

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Blood in the chest cavity is a hemothorax, not a pneumothorax. Pneumothorax involves air entering the pleural space, disrupting lung expansion, while hemothorax involves blood accumulation, making this an incorrect explanation.

Choice B reason: A pneumothorax is air in the pleural space, causing lung collapse due to disrupted negative pressure. This can result from trauma or spontaneous rupture, leading to respiratory distress, making this the correct explanation of the condition.

Choice C reason: Pus in the pleural space is an empyema, typically from infection, not a pneumothorax. Pneumothorax involves air, not purulent fluid, causing lung collapse, making this an incorrect description of the condition.

Choice D reason: Collapse of small airways occurs in conditions like bronchiolitis, not pneumothorax. Pneumothorax involves air in the pleural cavity, not airway obstruction, leading to lung collapse, making this an incorrect explanation.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Linking high potassium to kidney function risk is inaccurate; hyperkalemia primarily affects cardiac and neuromuscular function. Numbness, tingling, or weakness are direct symptoms, making this statement less relevant for patient education and incorrect.

Choice B reason: Changing IV fluids may be a treatment but doesn’t explain the issue or engage the patient. Asking to report numbness, tingling, or weakness directly addresses hyperkalemia symptoms, making this less appropriate and incorrect.

Choice C reason: High potassium (6.1 mEq/L) can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness. Instructing the patient to report these symptoms ensures early detection of worsening hyperkalemia, making this the correct, patient-centered statement for education.

Choice D reason: Palpitations may occur, but numbness, tingling, and weakness are more specific to hyperkalemia’s neuromuscular effects. “Quick beating” is less precise for heart rhythm issues, so this is incorrect compared to option c.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Aspirin inhibits TXA2 synthesis, reducing platelet adhesion and clotting. This is a true mechanism of aspirin’s antiplatelet effect, so it’s incorrect as the exception.

Choice B reason: Aspirin reduces prostaglandin production, which decreases platelet aggregation. This is a valid antiplatelet mechanism, so it’s incorrect for the action aspirin does not perform.

Choice C reason: Aspirin does not inhibit fibrinogen-to-fibrin conversion; this is part of the coagulation cascade, not platelet function. Aspirin targets platelets, making this the correct action it doesn’t perform.

Choice D reason: Aspirin inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation, minimizing plug formation. This is a true antiplatelet effect, so it’s incorrect as the action aspirin does not do.

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