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The nurse is reviewing laboratory work that is consistent with a client being positive for hepatitis and in the incubation phase of the illness. What should the nurse be concerned with at this stage of the illness?
- A. The client is infectious.
- B. The client may have enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- C. The client will have weight loss.
- D. The client has jaundice.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the incubation phase, the virus replicates within the liver, and the client is asymptomatic. Late in this phase, the virus can be found in blood, bile, and stools. At this point, the client is considered infectious.
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The nurse is admitting a client to their room at the hospital and observes that the client's skin and sclera are jaundiced. What does the nurse expect the client's total bilirubin levels to be?
- A. 0.2 mg/dL
- B. 1.0 mg/dL
- C. 2.0 mg/dL
- D. 3.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Normally, total bilirubin concentration ranges from 0.2 to 1.3 mg/dL. If the serum bilirubin level exceeds 2.5 mg/dL, jaundice is visible, notably on the skin, oral mucous membranes, and, especially, sclera.
A client with cirrhosis is complaining to the nurse of itching. The client asks the nurse if the itching is from taking warm baths. What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. The itching is caused by the accumulation of bile salts.
- B. The itching is related to dry skin from the warm baths.
- C. The itching is most likely a side effect from some of the medications used in treatment.
- D. The itching is related to a psychological response from the illness.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Skin may itch (pruritus) from accumulated bile salts related to the diseased liver. It is not related to the baths or a psychological response from the illness. Medication side effect may cause itching, but the most likely cause is the accumulation of bile salts.
A client had an open cholecystectomy with a T-tube insertion, and the nurse is measuring the bile drainage every 8 hours. When should the nurse notify the health care provider?
- A. If more than 17 oz (500 mL) of bile drainage is present in 24 hours
- B. If the bile drainage tubing is slack
- C. If there is 34 oz (100 mL) in the drainage pouch after 8 hours
- D. If there is 34 oz (10 mL) per hour of drainage in 24 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse measures bile drainage every 8 hours or according to agency policy. If more than 17 oz (500 mL) of bile drains within 24 hours or if drainage is significantly reduced, the nurse notifies the health care provider. The nurse should ensure that there is no tension on the bile drainage tubing; slack drainage tubing is an expected finding. About 34 oz (100 mL) in the drainage pouch after 8 hours, and 34 oz (10 mL) per hour of drainage in 24 hours are less than 17 oz (100 mL) in 24 hours and are therefore not findings that require health care provider notification.
A client is about to undergo a liver biopsy. Which should the nurse administer to the client before the procedure?
- A. Potassium
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Vitamin B
- D. Oral bile acids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients about to undergo a liver biopsy may require vitamin K before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding. Potassium would be given only if the client's serum potassium levels were low. Oral bile acids are not prescribed for a client about to undergo a liver biopsy, they are given to dissolve gallstones. Vitamin B has no implications in the procedure.
The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. What symptom(s) would indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing central nervous system effects of the disease? Select all that apply.
- A. Asterixis
- B. Joint stiffness
- C. Positive Babinski reflex
- D. Cough
- E. Fetor hepaticus
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Hepatic encephalopathy is a CNS manifestation of liver failure that is a complication of cirrhosis. Indications of CNS effects include disorientation, confusion, personality changes, memory loss, a flapping tremor called asterixis, a positive Babinski reflex, sulfurous breath odor (fetor hepaticus), and lethargy to deep coma. Cough and joint stiffness are not indicators of CNS effects of cirrhosis.