Nokea
Mrs. Silang, a 52-year old female, is experiencing advanced hepatic cirrhosis now complicated by hepatic encephalopathy. She is confused, restless, and demonstrating asterixis. The nurse has formulated the nursing diagnosis: Altered thought processes related to which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of advanced liver disease, such as cirrhosis, where the liver's ability to metabolize ammonia is impaired. As a result, there is an increase in serum ammonia levels, leading to alterations in brain function and neurotransmission. Symptoms such as confusion, restlessness, and asterixis (flapping tremor) are characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy caused by increased ammonia levels affecting the brain. Therefore, altered thought processes in Mrs. Silang are primarily related to the increased serum ammonia levels rather than other factors like massive ascites formation, fluid volume excess, or altered clotting mechanism.