A nurse is amending a patients plan of care in light of the fact that the patient has recently developed ascites. What should the nurse include in this patients care plan?
- A. Mobilization with assistance at least 4 times daily
- B. Administration of beta-adrenergic blockers as ordered
- C. Vitamin B12 injections as ordered
- D. Administration of diuretics as ordered
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Use of diuretics along with sodium restriction is successful in 90% of patients with ascites. Beta-blockers are not used to treat ascites and bed rest is often more beneficial than increased mobility. Vitamin B12 injections are not necessary.
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A nurse is performing an admission assessment for an 81-year-old patient who generally enjoys good health. When considering normal, age-related changes to hepatic function, the nurse should anticipate what finding?
- A. Similar liver size and texture as in younger adults
- B. A nonpalpable liver
- C. A slightly enlarged liver with palpably hard edges
- D. A slightly decreased size of the liver
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most common age-related change in the liver is a decrease in size and weight. The liver is usually still palpable, however, and is not expected to have hardened edges.
A nurse educator is teaching a group of recent nursing graduates about their occupational risks for contracting hepatitis B. What preventative measures should the educator promote? Select all that apply.
- A. Immunization
- B. Use of standard precautions
- C. Consumption of a vitamin-rich diet
- D. Annual vitamin K injections
- E. Annual vitamin B12 injections
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: People who are at high risk, including nurses and other health care personnel exposed to blood or blood products, should receive active immunization. The consistent use of standard precautions is also highly beneficial. Vitamin supplementation is unrelated to an individuals risk of HBV.
A patient with a diagnosis of cirrhosis has developed variceal bleeding and will imminently undergo variceal banding. What psychosocial nursing diagnosis should the nurse most likely prioritize during this phase of the patients treatment?
- A. Decisional Conflict
- B. Deficient Knowledge
- C. Death Anxiety
- D. Disturbed Thought Processes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The sudden hemorrhage that accompanies variceal bleeding is intensely anxiety-provoking. The nurse must address the patients likely fear of death, which is a realistic possibility. For most patients, anxiety is likely to be a more acute concern than lack of knowledge or decisional conflict. The patient may or may not experience disturbances in thought processes.
During a health education session, a participant has asked about the hepatitis E virus. What prevention measure should the nurse recommend for preventing infection with this virus?
- A. Following proper hand-washing techniques
- B. Avoiding chemicals that are toxic to the liver
- C. Wearing a condom during sexual contact
- D. Limiting alcohol intake
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Avoiding contact with the hepatitis E virus through good hygiene, including hand-washing, is the major method of prevention. Hepatitis E is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, principally through contaminated water in areas with poor sanitation. Consequently, none of the other listed preventative measures is indicated.
A nurse is caring for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy. While making the initial shift assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has a flapping tremor of the hands. The nurse should document the presence of what sign of liver disease?
- A. Asterixis
- B. Constructional apraxia
- C. Fetor hepaticus
- D. Palmar erythema
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse will document that a patient exhibiting a flapping tremor of the hands is demonstrating asterixis. While constructional apraxia is a motor disturbance, it is the inability to reproduce a simple figure. Fetor hepaticus is a sweet, slightly fecal odor to the breath and not associated with a motor disturbance. Skin changes associated with liver dysfunction may include palmar erythema, which is a reddening of the palms, but is not a flapping tremor.
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