a nurse is providing education to a patient starting hormone replacement therapy hrt for menopausal symptoms what should the nurse emphasize regarding

ATI RN

ATI Pathophysiology Test Bank

1. A nurse is providing education to a patient starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms. What should the nurse emphasize regarding the long-term risks associated with HRT?

A. HRT may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.
B. HRT may decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
C. HRT may improve mood and energy levels.
D. HRT may decrease the risk of breast cancer.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: HRT is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, particularly with long-term use.

2. A 21-year-old male is brought to the ED following a night of partying in his fraternity. His friends found him 'asleep' and couldn't get him to respond. They cannot recall how many alcoholic beverages he drank the night before. While educating a student nurse and the man's friends, the nurse begins by explaining that alcohol is:

A. A water-soluble compound that is easily absorbed by the gastric lining of the stomach.
B. Very lipid-soluble and rapidly crosses the blood–brain barrier.
C. Able to reverse the transport of some substances to remove them from the brain.
D. Very likely to cause sedation and therefore the client just needs to sleep it off.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Alcohol is very lipid-soluble and rapidly crosses the blood–brain barrier, leading to its effects on the central nervous system and causing symptoms like sedation and unconsciousness. Choice A is incorrect because alcohol is not water-soluble; it is lipid-soluble. Choice C is incorrect as alcohol does not reverse the transport of substances from the brain. Choice D is incorrect as sedation from alcohol is not a reason to just 'sleep it off' in cases of alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening and requires medical attention.

3. Which of the following accurately describes the pathophysiology of asthma?

A. Chronic inflammation of the bronchial lining
B. Narrowing of the airway due to bronchoconstriction
C. Damage to alveoli reducing lung elasticity
D. Overproduction of mucus by the goblet cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Narrowing of the airway due to bronchoconstriction." In asthma, there is an inflammatory response that leads to bronchoconstriction, causing the airways to narrow and making it difficult to breathe. Choice A is incorrect as chronic inflammation is a feature of asthma but not the primary pathophysiological mechanism. Choice C is incorrect as damage to alveoli is more characteristic of conditions like emphysema. Choice D is incorrect as overproduction of mucus is a feature of chronic bronchitis, not asthma.

4. A patient suffers from an autoimmune disorder. Which of the following represents a potential result of a viral infection in a patient with an autoimmune disorder?

A. Lymphocytes recognize the host's tissue as foreign.
B. Erythrocytes destroy the T cells of the host.
C. The involution of the thymus gland increases the risk of infection.
D. The differential decreases the sedimentation rate.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient with an autoimmune disorder, a viral infection can trigger an immune response where lymphocytes mistakenly recognize the host's tissue as foreign. This can lead to an exacerbation of the autoimmune condition. Choice B is incorrect because erythrocytes are not responsible for destroying T cells. Choice C is incorrect as thymus involution weakens the immune response, making the patient more susceptible to infections rather than increasing the infection risk. Choice D is unrelated to the potential effects of a viral infection in a patient with an autoimmune disorder.

5. A patient who is undergoing treatment for cytomegalovirus received his first dose of IV ganciclovir 3 days ago. When reviewing this patient's most recent blood work, what abnormality should the nurse most likely attribute to the use of this drug?

A. Hemoglobin 17 g/dL (high normal)
B. INR 3.8 (high)
C. Platelet count 118,000/mm3 (low)
D. Leukocytes 11,900/mm3 (high)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Platelet count 118,000/mm3 (low). Ganciclovir, used to treat cytomegalovirus, is known to cause bone marrow suppression, leading to decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia). This condition can increase the risk of bleeding. Choices A, B, and D are not typically associated with ganciclovir therapy. High hemoglobin levels (choice A) are not commonly seen with ganciclovir treatment. INR elevation (choice B) is associated with coagulation abnormalities, which are not a typical side effect of ganciclovir. Elevated leukocyte count (choice D) is not a common consequence of ganciclovir use.