Nokea
A nurse is caring for a patient with liver failure and is performing an assessment in the knowledge of the patients increased risk of bleeding. The nurse recognizes that this risk is related to the patients inability to synthesize prothrombin in the liver. What factor most likely contributes to this loss of function?
- A. Alterations in glucose metabolism
- B. Retention of bile salts
- C. Inadequate production of albumin by hepatocytes
- D. Inability of the liver to use vitamin K
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Decreased production of several clotting factors may be partially due to deficient absorption of vitamin K from the GI tract. This probably is caused by the inability of liver cells to use vitamin K to make prothrombin. This bleeding risk is unrelated to the roles of glucose, bile salts, or albumin.
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A patient has developed hepatic encephalopathy secondary to cirrhosis and is receiving care on the medical unit. The patients current medication regimen includes lactulose (Cephulac) four times daily. What desired outcome should the nurse relate to this pharmacologic intervention?
- A. Two to 3 soft bowel movements daily
- B. Significant increase in appetite and food intake
- C. Absence of nausea and vomiting
- D. Absence of blood or mucus in stool
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lactulose (Cephulac) is administered to reduce serum ammonia levels. Two or three soft stools per day are desirable; this indicates that lactulose is performing as intended. Lactulose does not address the patients appetite, symptoms of nausea and vomiting, or the development of blood and mucus in the stool.
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.
A patient with liver disease has developed jaundice; the nurse is collaborating with the patient to develop a nutritional plan. The nurse should prioritize which of the following in the patients plan?
- A. Increased potassium intake
- B. Fluid restriction to 2 L per day
- C. Reduction in sodium intake
- D. High-protein, low-fat diet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with ascites require a sharp reduction in sodium intake. Potassium intake should not be correspondingly increased. There is no need for fluid restriction or increased protein intake.
A patients physician has ordered a liver panel in response to the patients development of jaundice. When reviewing the results of this laboratory testing, the nurse should expect to review what blood tests? Select all that apply.
- A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
- C. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
- D. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- E. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Liver function testing includes GGT, ALT, and AST. CRP addresses the presence of generalized inflammation and BNP is relevant to heart failure; neither is included in a liver panel.
A nurse is participating in the emergency care of a patient who has just developed variceal bleeding. What intervention should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Infusion of intravenous heparin
- B. IV administration of albumin
- C. STAT administration of vitamin K by the intramuscular route
- D. IV administration of octreotide (Sandostatin)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Octreotide (Sandostatin) a synthetic analog of the hormone somatostatin is effective in decreasing bleeding from esophageal varices, and lacks the vasoconstrictive effects of vasopressin. Because of this safety and efficacy profile, octreotide is considered the preferred treatment regimen for immediate control of variceal bleeding. Vitamin K and albumin are not administered and heparin would exacerbate, not alleviate, bleeding.