Midwifery Practice Questions Related

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K. W. is a 50-year-old woman who presents for surgical resection of the liver for treatment of metastatic colon cancer. Preoperatively, the surgeon tells her that he is planning to remove 50 to 75 of her liver. The patient is concerned that she will not be able to recover normal liver function with that much removed. The AGACNP counsels her that

  • A. Such a high-volume resection is utilized only in people with markedly compromised hepatic function
  • B. Major regeneration occurs within 10 days, and the process is complete by 5 weeks
  • C. Liver function will probably recover to 50% baseline, but that is enough for normal function
  • D. Up to 95% of the liver can be removed without any apparent consequence to the patient
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because high-volume liver resection is typically performed in individuals with significantly compromised hepatic function to ensure adequate liver remnant. Removing 50 to 75% of the liver in a patient with metastatic colon cancer may be necessary for tumor clearance but carries risks due to potential impairment of liver function postoperatively. Choices B and C provide inaccurate information regarding the timeline and extent of liver regeneration following resection. Choice D is incorrect as removing up to 95% of the liver would lead to severe consequences, such as liver failure. Hence, option A is the most appropriate advice given the patient's situation.