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.
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A nurse teaches a client with hepatitis C who is prescribed ribavirin (Copegus). Which statement should the nurse include in this client's discharge education?
- A. Use a pill organizer to ensure you take this medication as prescribed.
- B. Transient muscle aching is a common side effect of this medication.
- C. Follow up with your provider in 1 week to test your blood for toxicity.
- D. Take your radial pulse for 1 minute prior to taking this medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Treatment of hepatitis C with ribavirin takes up to 48 weeks, making compliance a serious issue. The nurse should work with the client on a strategy to remain compliant for this length of time. Muscle aching is not a common side effect. The client will be on this medication for many weeks and does not need a blood toxicity examination. There is no need for the client to assess his or her radial pulse prior to taking the medication.
After teaching a client who has plans to travel to a non-industrialized country, the nurse assesses the client's understanding regarding the prevention of viral hepatitis. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. I should drink bottled water during my travels.
- B. I will not eat off others' plates or share utensils.
- C. I should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- D. I will wash my hands frequently and thoroughly.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client should be advised to avoid fresh, raw fruits and vegetables because they can be contaminated by tap water. Drinking bottled water, not sharing plates, glasses, or eating utensils, and frequent handwashing are good ways to prevent illness.
A nurse delegates hygiene care for a client who has advanced cirrhosis to an unlicensed nursing personnel (UAP). Which statements should the nurse include when delegating this task to the UAP? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Apply lotion to the client's dry skin areas.
- B. Use a basin with warm water to bathe the client.
- C. For oral care, use a soft toothbrush.
- D. Provide supplemental warm water for gargles.
- E. Bathe with antibacterial and water-based soaps.
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Clients with advanced cirrhosis often have pruritus. Lotion will help decrease itchiness from dry skin. A soft toothbrush should be used to prevent gum bleeding, and the client's nails should be trimmed short to prevent scratching. Clients should use cool, not warm, water on their skin and should not use excessive amounts of soap.
An infection control nurse develops a plan to decrease the number of health care professionals who contract viral hepatitis at work. Which ideas should the nurse include in this plan? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Policies related to consistent use of Standard Precautions
- B. Hepatitis vaccination mandate for workers in high-risk areas
- C. Implementation of a needleless system for intravenous therapy
- D. Hepatitis B immunity in clients at risk for hepatitis B
- E. Postexposure prophylaxis provided in a timely manner
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Nurses should always use Standard Precautions for client care, and policies should reflect this. Needleless systems and reduction of sharps can help prevent hepatitis. Postexposure prophylaxis should be provided in a timely manner. Hepatitis B immunity in clients does not protect healthcare workers, but ensuring worker immunity through vaccination is critical.
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a paracentesis 1 hour ago. Which assessment finding requires action by the nurse?
- A. Urine output via indwelling urinary catheter is 20 mL/hr.
- B. Blood pressure increases from 120/80 mm Hg to 140/90 mm Hg.
- C. Respiratory rate decreases from 18 to 14 breaths/min.
- D. A decrease in the clients weight by 6 kg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid removal of ascitic fluid causes decreased abdominal pressure, which can contribute to hypovolemia. This can be manifested by a decrease in urine output to below 30 mL/hr. A slight increase in systolic blood pressure is insignificant. A decrease in respiratory rate indicates that breathing has been made easier by the procedure. The nurse would expect the clients weight to drop as fluid is removed. Six kilograms is less than 3 pounds and is expected.
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