With the following statements is true regarding sleep apnea and a surgical patient?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is well-documented to increase perioperative risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular complications, due to airway obstruction and hypoxemia. This is supported by extensive literature, including ASA guidelines, making this the correct statement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Dysrhythmias can be indicative of an underlying pathophysiologic disorder. Dysrhythmias can impair normal cardiac output and lead to serious patient complications. Dysrhythmias are not an indicator of life span, but they may certainly shorten a patient's life span. Dysrhythmias do not impair venous return, but they do impair cardiac output. Alone, dysrhythmias do not increase the severity of heart murmurs.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, commonly causes hyperkalemia (B).

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood to the heart, unlike the coronary arteries, which supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The goal for antihypertensive therapy for a patient with hypertension and diabetes mellitus is a BP<130/80 mm Hg. The BP of 102/60 may indicate overtreatment of the hypertension and an increased risk for adverse drug effects. The other two blood pressures indicate a need for modifications in the patient's treatment.