Comprehensive Nurse Practitioner Exam Review: Clinical Questions and Explanations

A 72-year-old woman has been on hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg for many years to control her Stage II hypertension. Her blood pressure (BP) at this visit is 168/96. She is currently complaining of pain on her right hip and on both knees. She has increased her dose of ibuprofen (Motrin) from 400 mg 3 times day (TID) to 800 mg TID. She is still in pain and would like something stronger. Which of the following statements is the best explanation of the effects of ibuprofen (Motrin) on her disease? A) It increases the chances of adverse effects to her health B) It inhibits the effect of renal prostaglandins and blunts the effectiveness of the diuretic C) It prolongs the therapeutic effects of hydrochlorothiazide and other diuretics D) None of the statements are true - ANSWER B) It inhibits the effect of renal prostaglandins and blunts the effectiveness of the diuretic. NSAIDs and ASA inhibit the vasodilatory effects of prostaglandins, which predisposes the kidney to ischemia. NSAIDs and diuretics can cause acute prerenal failure by decreasing renal blood flow. 2. All of the following are infections that affect mostly the labia and vagina except: A) Bacterialvaginosis B) Candidiasis C) Trichomoniasis D) Chlamydia trachomatis - ANSWER D) Chlamydia trachomatis Infections that commonly affect the labia and vagina include bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. Chlamydia trachomatis commonly affects the cervix, endometrial lining , fallopian tubes, and pelvic cavity. The nurse practitioner would test the obturator and iliopsoas muscle to evaluate for: A) Cholecystitis B) Acute appendicitis C) Inguinal hernia D) Gastriculcer - ANSWER B) Acute appendicitis. Signs and symptoms of an acute abdomen include invol- untary guarding, rebound tenderness, boardlike abdomen, and a positive obtu- rator and psoas sign. A positive obturator sign occurs when pain is elicted by internal rotation of the right hip from 90 degrees hip/knee flexion. The psoas sign is positive when pain occurs with passive extension of the thigh while the patient is lying on his/her side with knees extended, or when pain occurs with active flexion of his/her thigh at the hip. Treatment for mild preeclampsia includes all of the following except: A) Bed rest except for bathroom privileges B) Close monitoring of weight and blood pressure C) Close follow-up of urinary protein, serum creatinine, and platelet count D) A prescription of methyldopa (Aldomet) to control blood pressure - ANSWER D) A prescription of methyldopa (Aldomet) to control blood pressure Recommended care for women diagnosed with preeclampsia includes bed rest with bath- room privileges, weight and BP monitoring, and closely following urine protein and serum protein, creatinine, and platelet counts. Oral medications are not used as first-line treatment. All of the following services are covered under Medicare Part A except