A.B. is a 55-year-old man who was referred to the urology clinic by his primary care provider (PCP) because
of an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. He reports that he has been feeling well and has no
specific complaints.
He had a complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel, urinalysis (UA), lipid
profile, and screening PSA completed the week before when he was seen by his PCP. His CBC, lipid profile,
UA, and blood chemistry findings are all within normal limits. His PSA is elevated at 11.9 ng/mL, and the
prostate is slightly tender on examination.
A.B. wonders whether he has prostate cancer. What can you tell A.B. about his PSA level?
PSA is a glycoprotein produced by prostate cells. It is unique to the prostate and is not produced
anywhere else in the body. Normally, prostate cells leak a small amount of PSA into the bloodstream;
this small amount is what is measured when a PSA is drawn. An enlarged prostate naturally leaks
more PSA and causes an elevated PSA level in the blood. When a prostate cell is damaged, it leaks
more PSA; damage might be caused by infection, inflammation, or cancer. A.B.'s result of 11.9 ng/mL
reflects a moderate elevation. Further testing needs to be done.
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The original cell in which all blood cell types are believed to begin is called the
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Which one of the following statements has been proven to be true?
a. Recent research has found that women do not have a unique physiologic response to stress. b. Both men and women interpret the same stressor in the same manner without regard to past experiences. c. Stress influences the immune system in one complex manner. d. Stressors that are identical do not necessarily have similar effects on each individual.
The primary reason heparin cannot be administered orally is that:
A. the peptide would be destroyed by gastric acid in the stomach. B. the peptide is too large to be absorbed in the intestines. C. the mucopolysaccharide would be destroyed by gastric acid in the stomach. D. the mucopolysaccharide is too large to be absorbed in the intestines.
A nurse dorsiflexes a patient's right ankle 90 degrees and then uses a reflex hammer to strike the appropriate tendon. What is the expected response for this deep tendon reflex?
a. Extension of the right lower leg b. Plantar flexion of the right toes c. Dorsiflexion of the right foot d. Plantar flexion of the right foot