Adult Health Nursing Answer Key

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: IgA is the primary immunoglobulin class involved in providing passive immunity to newborn infants through breast milk. IgA antibodies are highly concentrated in colostrum and breast milk, offering important protection to newborns against infections. IgG antibodies can also be passed from the mother to the fetus through the placenta, providing passive immunity during pregnancy, but IgA is the main immunoglobulin class transferred through breast milk for protecting the infant's gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. IgE is mainly involved in allergies and hypersensitivity reactions, while IgM is an early responder in the immune response to infections.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The patient's symptoms of unilateral nasal congestion, facial pain, and purulent nasal discharge with tenderness over the affected sinus are suggestive of acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis is typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection leading to inflammation and swelling of the sinus mucosa, resulting in the characteristic symptoms described. The tenderness over the affected sinus indicates inflammation in that area. Allergic rhinitis typically presents with bilateral nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, and itching, rather than facial pain and purulent discharge. Nasal polyps are associated with chronic conditions and usually lead to more gradual onset of symptoms. A deviated nasal septum may contribute to chronic sinus issues but typically does not present with acute symptoms of infection like purulent discharge and facial pain.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can lead to osteoporosis, which is a common complication. Osteoporosis causes weakening of the bones, increasing the risk of fractures, particularly in weight-bearing bones such as the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporotic fractures are a significant concern in patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy, highlighting the importance of monitoring bone health and considering preventive measures such as calcium, Vitamin D supplementation, and regular bone density testing. While osteonecrosis of the femoral head and avascular necrosis of the talus can also occur as complications of corticosteroid use, osteoporotic fractures are more commonly associated with this type of therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Septic arthritis, on the other hand, is not directly related to corticosteroid use but can occur due to other factors such as joint infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The symptoms of irritability, muscle weakness, tremors, weight loss despite increased appetite, along with elevated serum thyroid hormone levels and suppressed TSH levels, are indicative of hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces an excess amount of thyroid hormone, leading to an overactive metabolism. This results in symptoms such as weight loss, tremors, irritability, and muscle weakness. The elevated levels of thyroid hormone are detected in the laboratory tests, along with low TSH levels due to negative feedback regulation. Therefore, the most likely endocrine disorder responsible for these symptoms is hyperthyroidism.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Meningomyelocele is a type of neural tube defect where there is a protrusion of the spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, and meninges through a defect in the vertebrae, forming a sac on the surface of the back. This condition occurs during fetal development when the neural tube fails to close completely, leading to the exposure of the spinal cord and its coverings. This herniation can result in a range of neurological deficits and complications, requiring surgical repair shortly after birth to prevent further damage and infections.