An 85-year-old woman with congestive heart failure and frailty asks about hastening her death. Which of the following is legal throughout the United States?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Voluntary stopping of eating and drinking. This is legal throughout the United States because it is considered a patient's right to refuse food and water, even if it may lead to death. This decision is based on the principle of patient autonomy and respects the patient's wishes. Euthanasia (A) involves actively causing death, which is illegal in the United States. Palliative sedation (B) is providing medication to relieve suffering, but not with the intention of hastening death. Physician-assisted death (D) involves a physician providing medication for a patient to self-administer to end their life, which is not legal in all states.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Screen for depression. The patient's symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and loneliness after his wife's death suggest he may be experiencing depression, which can manifest as physical symptoms like urinary urgency and frequency. Since the patient has already received appropriate treatment for his urinary symptoms, addressing his mental health is the next crucial step. This can help improve his overall well-being and quality of life. Starting an antibiotic course (choice A) is not indicated as there are no signs of infection. Initiating a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (choice B) is not necessary given the absence of specific indications such as obstructive voiding symptoms. Urodynamic testing (choice C) is not warranted at this stage as the patient's history and findings do not suggest underlying bladder dysfunction.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Cefuroxime and nitrofurantoin are safe for use in pregnancy and effective against UTIs. 2. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic, considered safe in pregnancy. 3. Nitrofurantoin is a first-line agent for UTIs in pregnancy due to its safety profile. 4. Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline are contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential harm to the fetus. 5. Amoxicillin is considered safe in pregnancy but not as effective as nitrofurantoin for UTIs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The purpose of the expanded assessment when using the LAPSS is to determine whether there are other possible causes of the patient's signs and symptoms. This is because LAPSS primarily focuses on identifying stroke symptoms, so the expanded assessment helps rule out other potential conditions. Option A is incorrect because LAPSS does not primarily assess circulation. Option B is incorrect because LAPSS is not specifically designed to determine compartment syndrome. Option D is incomplete and does not provide any information to support it as the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: A dull pain or cramp. In peripheral artery disease, calf pain is typically described as a dull ache or cramp due to inadequate blood flow to the muscles during exercise. This pain is known as claudication. Choice A is incorrect as sharp, stabbing pain is not typically associated with peripheral artery disease. Choice C, an electric shock, is more indicative of nerve-related conditions. Choice D, a pulsating pain, is more characteristic of an aneurysm rather than peripheral artery disease.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Metabolic problems. The patient's inability to maintain sustained upward hand posture indicates asterixis, a sign of metabolic encephalopathy commonly seen in patients with liver failure due to alcoholism. This is caused by metabolic disturbances affecting the brain's function, leading to confusion and motor abnormalities. It is not indicative of a stroke (A), carpal tunnel syndrome (C), or severe fatigue and weakness (D), as they do not typically present with asterixis or the described palm movements.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because decreased tactile fremitus suggests fluid or air in the pleural space, which can occur in conditions like pleural effusion or pneumothorax. This decrease in tactile fremitus is due to the transmission of vibrations from the vocal cords being impeded by the presence of fluid or air between the lung and chest wall. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because decreased tactile fremitus is not typically associated with increased lung density, normal lung function, or lung tumors.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: A bone marrow examination. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow's ability to produce normal blood cells. A bone marrow examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis by analyzing the bone marrow cells for abnormality. A complete blood count (choice A) can show abnormalities in blood cell counts but cannot confirm leukemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (choice B) and nuclear bone scan (choice C) are imaging tests that can show bone abnormalities but are not specific for diagnosing leukemia.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% (Betanate). When managing an acute flare of atopic dermatitis unresponsive to emollient therapy, topical corticosteroids like betamethasone are often the first-line treatment due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid that can help reduce inflammation, itching, and redness associated with atopic dermatitis. Oral corticosteroids (Choice A) are generally reserved for severe cases due to potential systemic side effects. Desonide (Choice C) is a milder topical corticosteroid suitable for maintenance therapy but may not be potent enough for acute flares. Pimecrolimus (Choice D) is a calcineurin inhibitor used for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and is generally not the first choice for initial treatment of acute flares.