A 9-year-old boy accompanied by his mother reports that since he came home from summer camp, he has had fever, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal cramps and watery stools that contain blood and mucus
The clinician should recognize the importance of:
A. Stool for ova and parasites
B. Abdominal x-ray
C. Stool for clostridium
D. Fecal occult blood test
ANS: A
Parasites causing diarrhea usually enter the body through the mouth. They are swallowed and can remain in the intestine or burrow through the intestinal wall and invade other organs. Certain parasites, most commonly Giardia lamblia, transmitted by fecally contaminated water or food, can cause diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, cramps, nausea, anorexia, weight loss, greasy stools because of its interference with fat absorption, and occasionally fever. Symptoms usually occur about 2 weeks after exposure and can last 2 to 3 months. Often, the symptoms are vague and intermittent, which makes diagnosis more difficult. Serial stool samples for O&P should be ordered because a single sample may not reveal the offending parasite.
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Michael and Marcia are 13-year-old twins in the clinic with their parent who is concerned because Marcia is reaching puberty and Michael is not. Their parent is concerned about the difference in their sexual development
You are able to tell the parent: A) "Both genders mature sexually at about the same time." B) "Males generally mature 1 to 2 years before females." C) "Females generally mature 1 to 2 years before males." D) "Females start to mature before males do, but males usually reach sexual maturity before females."
Which of the following client statements would indicate that teaching about benzodiazepines has been successful? Select all that apply
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A 6-year-old boy on a well-balanced diet has marked edema of the legs, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, and a low blood serum albumin and total serum protein. His urine contains large amounts of protein
What is the most likely cause of edema? A. Increased capillary permeability allows excess fluid to leak from the capillaries. B. Reduced serum albumin resulting from excess loss in the urine lowers plasma osmotic pressure, which allows excess fluid to leak from capillaries. C. Low plasma proteins and albumin probably results from inadequate food intake, so the liver is unable to make sufficient albumin to maintain a normal plasma osmotic pressure. D. Obstruction of lymphatic channels draining the lower part of the body forces fluid out of the capillaries into the tissues.