NR-569 Differential Diagnosis in Acute Care Practicum
Midterm Exam (Latest Update)
Question:
Asthma Attack
Answer:
-An asthma attack is the sudden narrowing of the airways in response to a trigger. Asthma attack triggers can include airborne irritants, respiratory illness, or strenuous exercise.
-During an asthma attack, airway muscles tighten, the airways swell and inflame, and excess mucus is produced. This significantly narrows the airways, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, and wheezing.
Question:
spontaneous pneumothorax
Answer:
Herpes zoster involves the reactivation of the varicella virus in the body.
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Question:
Pulmonary Embolism
Answer:
-blockage of an artery in the lungs. This is usually caused by a blood clot that forms in the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis.
-Pulmonary embolism may be treated with blood thinners, medication, or surgical procedures.
-Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing. It may be difficult to diagnose, because patients with asthma or a heart attack experience similar symptoms. Risk factors of pulmonary embolism include heart disease, cancer, bed rest, smoking, obesity, and pregnancy. Lowering the risk of clots forming in the body, lowers the risk of forming a pulmonary embolism. Exercise, wearing compression stockings, and maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of forming clots in the legs.
Question:
Acute Heart Failure
Answer:
-Right-sided heart failure is commonly caused by left-sided heart failure.
-Factors that increase risk for CHF include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and structural abnormalities of the heart.
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-Patients with CHF commonly experience symptoms such as fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, swelling of the lower limbs, decreased alertness, and a reduced ability to exercise.
Question:
COPD exacerbation
Answer:
-airflow-limiting condition that affects the lungs. COPD includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
-Emphysema is a condition that affects the alveoli, the tiny air-filled pockets in the lungs responsible for gas exchange and breathing. During emphysema, alveolar walls are broken down causing alveolar air spaces to become permanently and abnormally enlarged. Fewer alveolar walls leads to less surface area for gas exchange to occur, limiting airflow.
-Chronic bronchitis is a condition that affects the bronchi and bronchioles, small tubes that allow for the passage of air in and out of the lungs. During chronic bronchitis, the airways become narrowed and blocked with mucus, limiting airflow.
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Question:
Acute gastritis
Answer:
Acute gastritis is characterized by inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa. Generalized epigastric discomfort (gnawing and burning) are common symptoms of acute gastritis.
-Symptoms of gastritis include feeling full after eating a few bites of food, nausea, bloating, and/or lack of appetite. Black/tarry stools and/or vomiting can also be suggestive of gastritis. Marisol reports feelings of fullness, bloating, and nausea. She also reports that she had one stool that was black or tarry. She also has a history of H. pylori gastritis.
Patients with gastritis commonly present with previous H. pylori exposure, use of NSAIDs, epigastric tenderness, a feeling of fullness with meals, and nausea.
Question:
Cholecystitis
Answer:
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. Severe pain in the right upper quadrant or epigastric pain along with nausea, vomiting, and fever are common symptoms of cholecystitis.
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