American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Which symptoms are associated with Behcet's disease?

1. Fever and hypotension

2. Recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, eye inflammation

3. CNS depression, respiratory depression, miosis

4. Hyperthermia and mental status changes

The correct answer is: Recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, eye inflammation

Behcet's disease is a systemic vasculitis characterized by a range of symptoms that primarily involve mucosal and ocular tissues. The hallmark symptoms associated with this condition include recurrent oral ulcers, which can be painful and affect eating and drinking; genital ulcers, which may also cause significant discomfort; and eye inflammation, often presenting as uveitis or iritis. These symptoms arise due to the underlying inflammation associated with Behcet's disease, which results from autoimmune processes and can lead to various complications if not managed. The other choices include symptoms related to different medical conditions or presentations that do not align with those typically seen in Behcet's disease. For example, fever and hypotension suggest an infectious or septic process, CNS and respiratory depression are more commonly associated with severe neurologic conditions or drug overdoses, and hyperthermia along with mental status changes could point to systemic infections or metabolic disturbances. Therefore, option B accurately captures the signature symptoms of Behcet's disease.