Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Care of Patients with Liver Problems Related

Review Test Bank for Medical Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care 10th Edition - Care of Patients with Liver Problems related questions and content

A nurse cares for a client who is hemorrhaging from bleeding esophageal varices and has an esophagogastric tube. Which action should the nurse take first?

  • A. Sedate the client to prevent tube dislodgement.
  • B. Maintain balloon pressure at 15 to 25 mm Hg.
  • C. Irrigate the gastric lumen with normal saline.
  • D. Assist the client for airway patency.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Maintaining airway patency is the primary nursing intervention for this client. The nurse suctions oral secretions to prevent aspiration. The client should be sedated, and balloon pressure should be maintained between 15 and 25 mm Hg. Irrigation with saline may be performed, but these actions are not a higher priority than airway patency.