Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who has 4+ pitting edema of the feet and legs. Which of the following assessments is priority for the nurse to monitor?
- A. Hemoglobin
- B. Temperature
- C. Activity level
- D. Albumin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The low oncotic pressure caused by hypoalbuminemia is a major pathophysiological factor in the development of edema. The other parameters also should be monitored, but they are not directly associated with the patient's current symptoms.
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After an unimmunized individual is exposed to hepatitis B through a needle-stick injury, which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
- A. Administer hepatitis B vaccine.
- B. Test for antibodies to hepatitis B.
- C. Teach about ?±-interferon therapy.
- D. Give hepatitis B immune globulin.
- E. Educate about oral antiviral therapy.
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: The recommendations for hepatitis B exposure include both vaccination and immune globulin administration. In addition, baseline testing for hepatitis B antibodies will be needed. Interferon and oral antivirals are not used for hepatitis B prophylaxis.
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a young adult patient who is diagnosed with early alcoholic cirrhosis. Which of the following topics is most important to include in patient teaching?
- A. Need to abstain from alcohol
- B. Use of vitamin B supplements
- C. Maintenance of a nutritious diet
- D. Treatment with lactulose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The disease progression can be stopped or reversed by alcohol abstinence. The other interventions may be used when cirrhosis becomes more severe to decrease symptoms or complications, but the priority for this patient is to stop the progression of the disease.
The nurse is obtaining a health history from a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following information should the nurse specifically assess when conducting a health history?
- A. Alcohol use
- B. Diabetes mellitus
- C. High-protein diet
- D. Cigarette smoking
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol use is one of the most common risk factors for pancreatitis in Canada. In Canada, the most common cause is gallbladder disease (gallstones) followed by alcoholism. Cigarette smoking, diabetes, and high-protein diets are not risk factors.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which of the following patient statements indicate that the teaching has been effective?
- A. I can remove the bandages on my incisions tomorrow and take a shower.
- B. I can expect some yellow-green drainage from the incision for a few days.
- C. I should plan to limit my activities and not return to work for 4-6 weeks.
- D. I will always need to maintain a low-fat diet since I no longer have a gallbladder.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: After a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the patient will have Band-Aids in place over the incisions. Patients are discharged the same (or next) day and have few restrictions on activities of daily living. Drainage from the incisions would be abnormal, and the patient should be instructed to call the health care provider if this occurs. A low-fat diet may be recommended for a few weeks after surgery but will not be a lifelong requirement.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted with an abrupt onset of jaundice, nausea, and abnormal liver function studies. Serological testing is negative for viral causes of hepatitis. Which of the following questions by the nurse is best?
- A. Is there any history of IV drug use?
- B. Are you taking corticosteroids for any reason?
- C. Do you use any over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?
- D. Have you recently travelled to a foreign country?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's symptoms, lack of antibodies for hepatitis, and the abrupt onset of symptoms suggest toxic hepatitis, which can be caused by commonly used OTC drugs such as acetaminophen. Travel to a foreign country and a history of IV drug use are risk factors for viral hepatitis. Corticosteroid use does not cause the symptoms listed.