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The client with liver problems asks the nurse, 'Why are my stools clay-colored?' On which scientific rationale should the nurse base the response?
- A. There is an increase in serum ammonia level.
- B. The liver is unable to excrete bilirubin.
- C. The liver is unable to metabolize fatty foods.
- D. A damaged liver cannot detoxify vitamins.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clay-colored stools result from the liver’s inability to excrete bilirubin, which gives stool its brown color. Ammonia, fat metabolism, and vitamin detoxification are unrelated.
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The client asks how he contracted hepatitis A. He reports all of the following. Which one is most likely related to hepatitis A?
- A. He ate home-canned corn.
- B. He ate oysters his roommate brought home from a fishing trip.
- C. He stepped on a nail two weeks ago.
- D. He donated blood two weeks before he got sick.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hepatitis A is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated food like oysters. Oysters from unsafe waters are a common source.
The nurse is preparing a client diagnosed with GERD for discharge following an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which statement indicates the client understands the discharge instructions?
- A. I should not eat for at least one (1) day following this procedure.
- B. I can lie down whenever I want after a meal. It won't make a difference.
- C. The stomach contents won't bother my esophagus but will make me nauseous.
- D. I should avoid orange juice and eating tomatoes until my esophagus heals.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Avoiding acidic foods like orange juice and tomatoes reduces irritation to the esophagus, indicating understanding of dietary modifications for GERD. Not eating for a day is unnecessary, lying down after meals worsens reflux, and nausea is not the primary concern with GERD.
The nurse is caring for the client diagnosed with ascites secondary to hepatic cirrhosis. Which information should the nurse report to the health-care provider?
- A. A decrease in the client's daily weight of one (1) pound.
- B. An increase in urine output after administration of a diuretic.
- C. An increase in abdominal girth of two (2) inches.
- D. A decrease in the serum direct bilirubin to 0.6 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An increase in abdominal girth (2 inches) suggests worsening ascites, requiring HCP notification. Weight loss, increased urine output, and normal bilirubin are expected or less urgent.
The nurse is caring for the newly admitted client with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Which interventions, if prescribed, should the nurse implement?
- A. NS 1000 mL IV over 1 hour, then IV fluids at 250 mL/hour
- B. Initiate nasojejunal enteral feedings with a low-fat formula
- C. Imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg IV every 6 hours
- D. Up to chair for meals and ambulate four times daily
- E. Position left side-lying with head of bed elevated 30 degrees
- F. Insert a urinary catheter; monitor urine output every 2 hours
Correct Answer: A, B, C, F
Rationale: Giving an IV bolus followed by fluids at 250 mL/hour should be implemented. A large amount of fluids is lost due to third spacing into the retroperitoneum and intraabdominal area. Fluids are needed to prevent hypovolemia and maintain hemodynamic stability. B. Nasojejunal enteral feedings with a low-fat formula should be initiated to decrease the secretion of secretin, meet calorie needs, and maintain a positive nitrogen balance. C. Antibiotics, usually medications of the imipenem class such as imipenem-cilastatin (Primaxin), are used when pancreatitis is complicated by infected pancreatic necrosis. They have greater potency and a broader antimicrobial spectrum than other beta-lactam antibiotics. D. The client should be maintained on bedrest to decrease the metabolic rate and therefore reduce pancreatic secretions. E. Discomfort frequently improves with the client in the supine position rather than side-lying. F. A urinary catheter should be inserted to closely monitor urine output for circulating fluid volume status and to monitor for complications.
The nurse is teaching the American Diabetes Association diet to a client diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2. Which should the nurse teach the client?
- A. Instruct the client to weigh all food before cooking it.
- B. Teach the client to eat only carbohydrates if the blood glucose is low.
- C. Demonstrate how to determine the amount of carbohydrates being eaten.
- D. Explain that proteins should be 75% of the recommended diet.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Determining carbohydrate amounts (e.g., carb counting) is key for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes per ADA guidelines. Weighing food, carb-only for hypoglycemia, and high protein are incorrect.