Pediatric Nursing Practice Questions Related

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After being in remission from Hodgkin's disease for 18 months, a client develops a fever of unknown origin. The physician orders a blind liver biopsy to rule out advancing Hodgkin'sdisease and infection. Twenty-four hours after the biopsy, the client has a fever, complains of severe abdominal pain, and seems increasingly confused. The nurse suspects that these finding result from:

  • A. Bleeding in the liver caused by the liver biopsy.
  • B. Perforation of the colon caused by the liver biopsy.
  • C. An allergic reaction to the contrast media used during liver biopsy.
  • D. Normal post procedural pain, with a change in the level of consciousness resulting from the preexisting fever.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The symptoms of fever, severe abdominal pain, and increasing confusion following a liver biopsy are indicative of a potential complication such as bleeding in the liver caused by the biopsy. Hepatic bleeding can lead to abdominal pain and can cause a change in the level of consciousness. These symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention to address the bleeding and prevent further complications. Perforation of the colon, an allergic reaction to contrast media, or normal post-procedural pain would not typically present with these specific symptoms in this context.