Which clinical finding indicates a sickle-cell vaso-occlusive crisis?
Generalized skin redness
Bleeding gums
Joint pain
Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is C
A. Generalized skin redness is incorrect because this is not a hallmark of vaso-occlusive crises. Skin redness may occur with infection or inflammation, but it does not specifically indicate sickle-cell complications.
B. Bleeding gums is incorrect because bleeding tendencies are not typical of sickle-cell anemia. Bleeding gums are more commonly associated with platelet disorders or vitamin C deficiency, not vaso-occlusion.
C. Joint pain is correct because a vaso-occlusive crisis occurs when sickle-shaped red blood cells obstruct small blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow, ischemia, and tissue hypoxia. This results in severe pain, often in the joints, bones, chest, or abdomen, which is the hallmark symptom of a crisis. Other accompanying signs may include fever, swelling, and tenderness in affected areas. These pain episodes can be sudden, severe, and recurrent.
D. Bradycardia is incorrect because vaso-occlusive crises do not typically cause bradycardia. In fact, patients may develop tachycardia as a compensatory response to anemia or pain.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Varicose veins is incorrect because varicose veins typically cause bilateral or localized superficial venous distention, aching, and heaviness, rather than the acute unilateral swelling, warmth, and redness seen with DVT.
B. Peripheral artery disease is incorrect because PAD usually causes pale, cool, or cyanotic extremities, weak pulses, and pain with exertion (intermittent claudication), rather than unilateral redness, warmth, and swelling.
C. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is correct because DVT involves formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, often in the leg. Classic signs include unilateral swelling, redness, warmth, pain, and tenderness, usually in the calf or thigh. DVT is a medical emergency because the clot can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors include immobility, surgery, pregnancy, obesity, and hypercoagulable states.
D. Intermittent claudication is incorrect because claudication refers to exercise-induced muscle pain caused by arterial insufficiency, not venous clot formation. It does not typically cause unilateral swelling or redness.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Larynx is incorrect because the larynx functions mainly as a passageway for air between the pharynx and trachea and houses the vocal cords. It does not participate in gas exchange.
B. Trachea is incorrect because the trachea serves as a conduit for air to move to the bronchi and lungs. Its rigid cartilage rings keep the airway open, but it does not have structures for oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion.
C. Alveoli is correct because alveoli are tiny, thin-walled sacs at the end of the bronchioles where oxygen diffuses from inhaled air into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. The alveolar walls are extremely thin and surrounded by a dense network of capillaries, maximizing surface area for efficient gas exchange, which is the primary function of the respiratory system.
D. Bronchi is incorrect because the bronchi are larger airways that conduct air into each lung and then divide into smaller bronchioles. While they transport air deeper into the lungs, gas exchange does not occur in the bronchi.
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