HP CHO -9 October 2022: Clinical findings of systemic amyloidosis include:

HP CHO -9 October 2022

Pathology & Genetics

Easy

Appeared in: HP CHO -9 October 2022

Explanation

Systemic amyloidosis is a disorder characterized by the deposition of abnormal, misfolded proteins in various organs, leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations.
The term 'systemic' implies that multiple organ systems can be affected.
Nephrotic syndrome is a common result of amyloid deposition in the kidneys, which are frequently involved.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy occurs when amyloid infiltrates the heart muscle, making it stiff.
Tongue enlargement (macroglossia) is a classic, though less common, sign caused by amyloid deposition in the tongue.
Because all the individual options are correct clinical findings of systemic amyloidosis, the most complete answer is 'All of the above'.

Option A: This option is a correct finding of systemic amyloidosis, but it is not the only one. Selecting this option alone would be incomplete as the disease affects multiple systems.
Option B: This is a correct finding, but it represents only the cardiac manifestation of a systemic disease. The question asks for clinical findings in general, and there are others.
Option C: While a classic sign, tongue enlargement is also just one of many possible findings in systemic amyloidosis. Choosing this option ignores the more common renal and cardiac involvements.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Clinical manifestations of systemic amyloidosis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must conduct comprehensive, head-to-toe assessments for patients with suspected or confirmed amyloidosis because the disease is systemic and can manifest in multiple, seemingly unrelated ways.
Key nursing assessments include monitoring for signs of organ failure: tracking daily weights, intake/output, and urine protein for renal function; assessing for dyspnea, edema, and arrhythmias for cardiac function; and evaluating airway patency and swallowing for patients with macroglossia.
A crucial nursing role is patient education about this complex disease, including the signs and symptoms of organ dysfunction to report immediately.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question stem. The keyword is 'systemic' amyloidosis, which signals that the disease affects multiple body systems.
Evaluate each option to determine its validity as a finding in amyloidosis. Recall or deduce that amyloid protein can deposit in the kidneys, heart, and soft tissues.
Confirm that nephrotic syndrome (kidney), restrictive cardiomyopathy (heart), and tongue enlargement are all known manifestations.
When you identify that multiple individual options are correct, look for a composite option like 'All of the above'.
Since options A, B, and C are all correct, 'All of the above' is the most comprehensive and accurate choice, reflecting the multi-system nature of the disease.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 271-273

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 938-940