A patient with a tibial shaft fracture undergoes surgical fixation with an intramedullary nail. What postoperative complication should the healthcare team monitor for in the immediate postoperative period?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Following surgical fixation of a tibial shaft fracture with an intramedullary nail, healthcare providers should monitor for the development of fat embolism syndrome (FES) in the immediate postoperative period. FES is a serious complication that occurs when fat droplets from the bone marrow enter the bloodstream and cause respiratory and neurological symptoms. Clinical manifestations of FES may include dyspnea, tachypnea, petechial rash, altered mental status, and hypoxemia. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential in managing fat embolism syndrome to prevent serious complications such as respiratory failure and neurological deficits. Monitoring for signs and symptoms of FES is crucial in the postoperative care of patients undergoing surgical fixation of long bone fractures.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can lead to urinary retention, which is a common complication associated with this condition. As the prostate gland enlarges, it can obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. This obstruction can result in difficulty starting to urinate, weak urine flow, frequent urination, incomplete bladder emptying, and eventually urinary retention. If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to serious complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder damage, kidney damage, and even kidney stones. Therefore, urinary retention is an important complication to be aware of in patients with BPH.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most likely diagnosis in this scenario is epididymitis. Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis, a coiled tube at the back of the testicle that stores and carries sperm. Common symptoms include scrotal pain, swelling, erythema (redness), and a tender, fluctuant mass in the scrotum due to an abscess. Risk factors for epididymitis include urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections (such as gonorrhea or chlamydia), and recent urological procedures. It is important to differentiate epididymitis from testicular torsion, which would present with sudden, severe testicular pain, absent cremasteric reflex, and a high-riding testicle. Testicular cancer typically presents as a painless mass or swelling in the scrotum, and hydrocele presents as painless scrotal swelling due to a collection of fluid

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Entamoeba histolytica is a parasitic protist known to cause amoebiasis, a gastrointestinal infection that can lead to symptoms such as foul-smelling diarrhea containing cysts. Upon microscopic examination of the feces, the presence of Entamoeba histolytica cysts is a key diagnostic feature. This parasite can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, and individuals infected with Entamoeba histolytica may experience abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to manage this infection and prevent complications.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite commonly found in contaminated water sources such as streams or lakes. It causes an infection called cryptosporidiosis, which often presents with symptoms like watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. The oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum can be identified in stool samples, making it the likely culprit in this scenario. Giardia lamblia, another common waterborne parasite, can also cause similar symptoms but is characterized by trophozoites rather than oocysts in stool samples. Entamoeba histolytica is associated with amoebic dysentery and does not typically present with watery diarrhea. Cyclospora cayetanensis is another parasite causing gastrointestinal symptoms but is not as commonly associated with contaminated water sources as Cryptosporidium parvum.