A 30-year-old woman presents to the clinic with a complaint of a delayed period and abdominal discomfort. The nurse suspects pregnancy. Which of the following is the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Changes in breast size. This is because hormonal changes in early pregnancy can cause breast tenderness, swelling, and darkening of the areola. This typically occurs before a missed period or a positive urine pregnancy test. A missed period (choice A) is a common sign of pregnancy, but not the earliest. A positive urine pregnancy test (choice B) confirms pregnancy but may not be the earliest sign. Abdominal tenderness and bloating (choice D) can occur due to various reasons and are not specific to pregnancy. Therefore, changes in breast size are the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct path of blood flow in the kidney is from the abdominal aorta to the renal arteries, then to the segmental arteries, followed by interlobar arteries, arcuate arteries, interlobular arteries, afferent arteries, glomerulus, efferent arteries, peritubular capillaries, interlobular veins, arcuate veins, interlobar veins, renal veins, and finally to the inferior vena cava. Choice C accurately follows this sequential flow of blood, making it the correct answer. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: - Choice A has the incorrect sequence of interlobar and interlobular arteries, which disrupts the correct flow. - Choice B also has an incorrect sequence of interlobar and interlobular arteries, leading to an inaccurate path. - Choice D has the interlobar and interlobular arteries in the wrong order, deviating from the correct blood flow pathway.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proximal convoluted tubule. Glucose reabsorption primarily occurs in the proximal convoluted tubule due to the presence of specialized glucose transporters. Step-by-step rationale: 1. Glucose is filtered in the glomerulus and enters the renal tubules. 2. In the proximal convoluted tubule, glucose is reabsorbed through sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLT) and facilitated diffusion via glucose transporters (GLUT). 3. The loop of Henle is primarily responsible for water and electrolyte reabsorption, not glucose. 4. The collecting duct mainly concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and electrolytes, not glucose. 5. The distal convoluted tubule is involved in fine-tuning electrolyte balance and regulating acid-base balance, not glucose reabsorption.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Prostatic hypertrophy causes an enlarged prostate gland. 2. Enlarged prostate can lead to symptoms like straining, loss of force, and sense of residual urine. 3. These symptoms are due to obstruction of the urethra by the enlarged prostate. 4. Polyuria, urgency, dysuria, oliguria, and foul-smelling urine are not typical symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy. Summary: Choice C is correct because it directly relates to the obstructive symptoms caused by prostatic hypertrophy. Choices A, B, and D do not align with the typical symptoms of this condition and are therefore incorrect.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ampicillin. It is considered safe to use in newborn babies due to its efficacy against common bacterial infections in this age group. Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is often prescribed for neonatal sepsis and meningitis. It is also well-tolerated and has minimal side effects in newborns. A: Chloramphenicol is not recommended in newborns due to the risk of gray baby syndrome. B: Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole can cause kernicterus and other adverse effects in newborns. C: Tetracyclines can lead to tooth discoloration and inhibit bone growth in newborns.