Nursing Elites

1. When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will:

• A. Increase in size
• B. Decrease in length
• C. Increase in excitability
• D. Increase in number

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increase in size. Cardiac hypertrophy occurs when myocardial cells increase in size to compensate for an increased workload. This adaptation allows the heart to pump more effectively. Choice B, Decrease in length, is incorrect as cardiac cells do not decrease in length in response to increased workload. Choice C, Increase in excitability, is incorrect as increased workload does not lead to an increase in excitability of cardiac cells. Choice D, Increase in number, is incorrect as cardiac cells do not increase in number but rather increase in size to handle the increased workload.

2. Which of the following is a common cause of mechanical small intestine obstruction?

• A. Infection
• B. Postoperative adhesions
• C. Tumors
• D. Foreign body

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Postoperative adhesions are a common cause of mechanical small intestine obstruction. Adhesions can form after abdominal surgery, causing bands of scar tissue that may twist or pull the intestines, leading to obstruction. This is a more common cause compared to infection, tumors, or foreign bodies. Infection may lead to inflammation but is not a typical cause of mechanical obstruction. Tumors and foreign bodies can cause blockages but are less common than postoperative adhesions.

3. A patient is diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. She is prescribed filgrastim (Neupogen). What effect will this medication provide in the treatment of ischemic heart disease?

• A. Increase platelets
• B. Decrease platelets
• C. Promote angiogenesis
• D. Prevent thrombus formation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Filgrastim (Neupogen) is a medication that promotes the growth of white blood cells. In the context of ischemic heart disease, promoting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, can improve blood flow to the heart muscle, reducing ischemia and potentially improving cardiac function. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Choices A and B are incorrect because filgrastim does not directly affect platelet levels. Choice D is also incorrect as filgrastim does not prevent thrombus formation.

4. Although stress exposure initiates integrated responses by multiple systems, which system first activates the most important changes?

• A. Pulmonary
• B. Gastrointestinal
• C. Neuroendocrine
• D. Cardiovascular

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, the Neuroendocrine system. When the body is exposed to stress, the neuroendocrine system plays a crucial role in initiating the body's response. This system, particularly through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, triggers a cascade of physiological responses to stress. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while other systems like the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems also respond to stress, the neuroendocrine system is primarily responsible for the initial and significant changes in the body's stress response.

5. A patient underwent an open cholecystectomy 4 days ago, and her incision is now in the proliferative phase of healing. The nurse knows that the next step in the process of wound healing is:

• A. Inflammation
• B. Maturation
• C. Remodeling
• D. Coagulation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the context of wound healing, after the proliferative phase comes the remodeling phase. During the remodeling phase, the wound gains strength as collagen fibers reorganize, and the scar matures. Inflammation is the initial phase of healing, where the body responds to injury with redness, swelling, and warmth. Maturation is the final stage where the scar tissue continues to undergo changes but is not the immediate next step after the proliferative phase. Coagulation is the process of blood clot formation and is not a phase in wound healing.

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