A newly diagnosed patient asks what asthma is. Which of the ff. explanations by the nurse is correct?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Option A, "Your airways are inflamed and spastic," is the correct explanation of asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which causes difficulty in breathing, coughing, and wheezing. The inflammation leads to the airways becoming extremely sensitive to various triggers, such as allergens, irritants, or exercise, resulting in spasms that further constrict the air passages. This constriction makes it challenging for air to move in and out of the lungs efficiently, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath. It is essential for the patient to understand that asthma is primarily an inflammatory condition rather than a structural or infectious problem.

Correct Answer: E

Rationale: Differentiating agents like 13-cis-retinoic acid are used instead of allogenic bone marrow transplantation in high-risk neuroblastoma.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Polycythemia, which is an abnormally elevated level of red blood cells in the blood, is commonly associated with congenital heart disease. In cases where there is a congenital heart defect that causes reduced oxygen levels in the blood, the body compensates by producing more red blood cells to try to improve oxygen delivery. This increased red blood cell production can lead to polycythemia. In turn, polycythemia can increase the risk of thrombosis, which is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) or strokes. Therefore, polycythemia is most likely associated with a CVA resulting from congenital heart disease.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Calcium is the mineral necessary for chemical clotting. When there is a cut or injury that causes bleeding, the body's clotting process is initiated to stop the bleeding. Calcium ions play a crucial role in several steps of the clotting cascade, helping to activate various clotting factors and promoting the formation of a stable blood clot. Without sufficient calcium, the blood would not be able to clot properly, leading to potential complications with excessive bleeding.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Younger age is a significant risk factor for extraneural metastasis in pediatric brain tumors.