Which side effect of statin medications like simvastatin should be the most concerning?
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Muscle pain
Headache
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Dry mouth is a relatively minor side effect of statin medications and is generally not a cause for significant concern. While it can be uncomfortable and may affect oral health if persistent, it does not typically indicate a serious underlying condition.
Choice B reason: Diarrhea can be an inconvenient and uncomfortable side effect of statins, but it is not usually considered dangerous. It is important to manage it to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, but it is not as concerning as some other side effects.
Choice C reason: Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is the most concerning side effect of statin medications like simvastatin. In rare cases, muscle pain can progress to a more serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This can lead to kidney damage and, in severe cases, kidney failure. Therefore, any new or unexplained muscle pain should be promptly reported to a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Choice D reason: Headache is a common and generally mild side effect of many medications, including statins. While it can be bothersome, it is not typically indicative of a serious problem and is not considered as concerning as muscle pain related to statin use.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Autonomic dysreflexia is a condition that occurs in individuals with spinal cord injuries, typically at or above the T6 level. It is characterized by a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure (hypertension), accompanied by a slowed heart rate (bradycardia) and severe headache. This condition results from an exaggerated autonomic response to stimuli below the level of the spinal cord injury, such as a distended bladder or bowel, leading to the release of catecholamines and subsequent vasoconstriction.
Choice B reason: Hypotension and shock are not characteristic of autonomic dysreflexia. Instead, autonomic dysreflexia involves hypertension. Hypotension and shock are more commonly associated with conditions such as spinal shock or severe blood loss, not the autonomic crisis seen in autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice C reason: Extreme pain below the level of injury can occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries, but it is not a hallmark of autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is primarily marked by the triad of hypertension, bradycardia, and headache. Pain below the level of injury may be related to other complications of spinal cord injury but does not define autonomic dysreflexia.
Choice D reason: Pallor and vasodilation above the level of injury are not typical features of autonomic dysreflexia. In fact, above the level of injury, individuals may experience vasoconstriction and flushing due to the altered autonomic responses. The key symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia are hypertension, bradycardia, and headache.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pain stimulation above the level of the spinal cord lesion can cause discomfort and an increase in sympathetic activity, but it is not the primary cause of an uncompensated cardiovascular response seen in autonomic dysreflexia. This condition typically results from stimuli below the level of the injury.
Choice B reason: Toxic accumulation of free radicals below the level of the injury can contribute to tissue damage and inflammation but is not the primary cause of the acute cardiovascular responses in autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is primarily triggered by noxious stimuli below the level of the injury.
Choice C reason: A distended bladder or rectum is a common cause of autonomic dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injuries above the T6 level. This condition involves an exaggerated autonomic response to stimuli below the level of the injury, resulting in severe hypertension, bradycardia, and other cardiovascular symptoms. The distention of the bladder or rectum sends signals that the spinal cord cannot properly process, leading to an uncontrolled sympathetic response.
Choice D reason: An abnormal vagal response typically involves parasympathetic activity and can lead to symptoms such as bradycardia or fainting. However, it is not the primary cause of the sympathetic overactivity and hypertension seen in autonomic dysreflexia. The condition is driven by an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system due to spinal cord injury.
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