ATI RN
Final Exam Pathophysiology
1. What key contraindication should the nurse emphasize to a patient prescribed sildenafil (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction?
- A. Sildenafil is contraindicated in patients taking nitrates due to the risk of severe hypotension.
- B. Sildenafil should not be taken with food as it can reduce its effectiveness.
- C. Sildenafil is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypertension.
- D. Sildenafil should not be taken with grapefruit juice as it can lead to dangerous side effects.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Sildenafil is contraindicated in patients taking nitrates due to the risk of severe hypotension. Nitrates and sildenafil both cause vasodilation, leading to a synergistic effect that can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because there is no specific contraindication for taking sildenafil with food, having a history of hypertension, or taking it with grapefruit juice. The main concern is the concurrent use of nitrates with sildenafil.
2. In discussing sex hormone production with the patient, the nurse should describe that testosterone is normally secreted in response to
- A. sexual arousal.
- B. stimulation by luteinizing hormone.
- C. ACTH release by the adrenal cortex.
- D. decreased cortisol levels.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Testosterone production is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Choice A, 'sexual arousal,' is incorrect because testosterone secretion is not directly linked to arousal but rather to hormonal stimulation. Choice C, 'ACTH release by the adrenal cortex,' is incorrect as testosterone production is not primarily regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Choice D, 'decreased cortisol levels,' is also incorrect as cortisol and testosterone are regulated by separate endocrine pathways.
3. Which of the following is a factor that leads to increased risk for dehydration in the elderly?
- A. More insensible losses
- B. Increase in muscle mass
- C. Decline in kidney function
- D. Decrease in fat
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decline in kidney function. As people age, their kidneys may not work as effectively in conserving water and concentrating urine, leading to a higher risk of dehydration. Choice A is incorrect because more insensible losses do not directly relate to an increased risk of dehydration in the elderly. Choice B, an increase in muscle mass, is not a factor that leads to dehydration. Choice D, a decrease in fat, is also not a direct factor contributing to dehydration in the elderly.
4. When evaluating the success of adding raltegravir to the drug regimen of a 42-year-old female patient with HIV, which laboratory value should the nurse prioritize?
- A. The patient's C-reactive protein levels
- B. The patient's erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- C. The patient's viral load
- D. The patient's CD4 count
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The patient's viral load. In HIV management, monitoring the viral load is crucial to assess the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. A decrease in viral load indicates the treatment's success in controlling the HIV infection. Choices A, B, and D are less relevant in this context. C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are markers of inflammation and non-specific indicators of infection, not specifically for HIV. CD4 count is important but not as immediate for evaluating the response to the newly added medication compared to monitoring the viral load.
5. Thrombocytopenia is which disorder below?
- A. Increased blood coagulation
- B. Increased platelet production
- C. Increased number of infections
- D. Decreased platelet production
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is a disorder characterized by a decreased platelet count or decreased platelet production, which affects blood clotting. Choice A, 'Increased blood coagulation,' is incorrect as thrombocytopenia is associated with decreased platelets, leading to impaired clotting. Choice B, 'Increased platelet production,' is incorrect as thrombocytopenia is characterized by a decrease in platelet production. Choice C, 'Increased number of infections,' is unrelated to thrombocytopenia, which primarily involves low platelet levels.
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