Which assessment finding is most consistent with a diagnosis of arterial insufficiency?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B - Dependent rubor and cool skin. Arterial insufficiency is characterized by poor blood flow to the extremities, resulting in decreased oxygen supply and tissue damage. Dependent rubor (redness when legs are in a dependent position) and cool skin are indicative of decreased arterial blood flow. Brown discoloration (choice A) typically indicates chronic venous insufficiency. Pitting edema (choice C) is associated with venous insufficiency and heart failure. Warm, erythematous skin (choice D) is more indicative of inflammation or infection, rather than arterial insufficiency.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Vesicular breath sounds. These are low-pitched, soft sounds heard over the peripheral lung fields during normal breathing. This finding should be documented as vesicular breath sounds because they are expected in healthy individuals. Choice A: Bronchial breath sounds are high-pitched and loud, heard over the trachea and large airways, not the peripheral lung fields. Choice B: Bronchovesicular breath sounds are a mix of bronchial and vesicular sounds, typically heard over the mainstem bronchi, not the peripheral lung fields. Choice D: Adventitious breath sounds refer to abnormal lung sounds like crackles or wheezes, not the soft, low-pitched sounds described in the scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clubbing of the fingers. Clubbing is a sign of chronic hypoxia due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, leading to changes in the nails and fingertips. This occurs in conditions like chronic lung disease. Barrel chest (choice A) is typically seen in emphysema due to lung hyperinflation. Use of accessory muscles (choice C) and intercostal retractions (choice D) are signs of acute respiratory distress, not chronic hypoxia.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Myasthenia gravis. This autoimmune disorder is characterized by muscle weakness and fatigability due to antibodies attacking acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. The presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in this patient supports the diagnosis. Ptosis and weakness of proximal muscles are classic features. Choice A, Multiple sclerosis, is a central nervous system disorder and typically presents with sensory and motor deficits, not ptosis or fluctuating weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome (Choice C) is characterized by ascending weakness and is typically preceded by an infection, unlike the chronic presentation in myasthenia gravis. Lambert-Eaton syndrome (Choice D) involves antibodies against presynaptic calcium channels and presents with proximal muscle weakness but often includes autonomic symptoms, which are not evident in this patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is bronchitis because it presents with a persistent cough lasting more than 2-3 weeks without fever, chest pain, or chills. Shortness of breath can be seen in bronchitis due to airway inflammation. Asthma would typically present with wheezing and can have triggers like allergies. Pneumonia is accompanied by fever, chest pain, and productive cough with yellow or green sputum. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually occurs in older patients with a history of smoking and presents with a chronic cough and progressive shortness of breath.