Which is the treatment of choice for severe aplastic anemia?

A. Get 8 hours of sleep at night and take naps during the day:

While adequate sleep is generally important for overall health, it may not be the most critical factor for a patient with aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia primarily affects blood cell production, and managing infection risk and blood counts are more crucial in this context.

B. Practice yoga and meditation to decrease stress and anxiety:

Stress reduction techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can be beneficial for anyone's overall well-being, but it's not the top priority for someone with aplastic anemia. Managing stress is essential, but again, reducing the risk of infections and maintaining adequate blood counts are more critical.

C. Eat animal protein and dark leafy vegetables each day:

Proper nutrition is essential for patients with aplastic anemia, as it can help support the production of red blood cells and maintain overall health. However, while a balanced diet is important, avoiding infections and minimizing exposure to contagions is more pressing.

D. Avoid exposure to others with acute infection:

This is the most crucial concept for patients with aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia leads to a weakened immune system, making the patient highly susceptible to infections. Exposure to individuals with acute infections can be life-threatening for these patients. Preventing infections and maintaining adequate blood counts are paramount in the care of individuals with aplastic anemia.

In transposition of the great vessels (TGV), the aorta and the pulmonary artery are switched, causing oxygen-rich blood to be pumped back to the lungs and oxygen-poor blood to be pumped out to the body. The ductus arteriosus, a fetal blood vessel that normally closes shortly after birth, allows blood to mix between the two circulations.

Prostaglandin E1 is used to keep the ductus arteriosus open, allowing for a controlled mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, which can improve oxygen delivery to the body in cases of TGV. This helps maintain oxygenation until corrective surgical interventions can be performed.

The other options, A (decrease pulmonary congestion), B (stimulate the production of red blood cells), and D (increase blood flow to the system), do not accurately describe the primary purpose of Prostaglandin E1 in the context of TGV. The main goal is to maintain a pathway for oxygenated blood to mix with deoxygenated blood to improve oxygen delivery to the body.