Nokea
The patient with cirrhosis has an albumin of 2.8 g/dL. The nurse is aware that normal is 3.5 to 5 g/dL. Based on these findings, which would the nurse expect the patient to exhibit?
- A. Jaundice
- B. Edema
- C. Copious urine output
- D. Pallor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low serum albumin levels result also from excessive loss of albumin into urine or into third-space volumes, causing ascites or edema.
You may also like to solve these questions
How does the administration of neomycin reduce the production of ammonia?
- A. By assisting the hepatic cells to regenerate.
- B. By reducing ascites
- C. By decreasing the bacteria in the gut
- D. By helping to digest fats and proteins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The buildup of ammonia can be prevented with the use of lactulose and neomycin. Ammonia is produced in the gut by bacterial action. By reducing the bacteria, less ammonia is produced.
What is the challenge in encouraging coughing and deep breathing for a postoperative patient who had an open cholecystectomy?
- A. High placement of incision
- B. Excessive nausea
- C. Weakened abdominal muscles
- D. Poor oxygenation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The high placement of the incision of the cholecystectomy makes the patient reluctant to cough. Splinting the incision is beneficial.
Which should the nurse expect of a patient with a malabsorption of vitamin K?
- A. Anemia
- B. Excess platelet production
- C. Increased coagulation time
- D. Elevated for infection due to diminished white blood cell count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prothrombin times are increased because malabsorption of vitamin K or inability to produce the clotting factors VII, IX, and X cause the patient to have bleeding tendencies.
The nurse is monitoring which laboratory results that are most closely associated with cirrhosis?
- A. Decreased ammonia levels
- B. Decreased glucose levels
- C. Prolonged prothrombin times
- D. Increased cholesterol levels
- E. Decreased total protein levels
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: When caring for a patient with cirrhosis, the nurse will most likely note decreased glucose levels, prolonged prothrombin times and decreased total protein levels. The ammonia levels are increased with cirrhosis, and cholesterol levels decrease.
The nurse is aware that an elevated serum amylase is diagnostic of pancreatitis at an early stage as an elevation can be assessed as early as how many hours after the onset of pancreatic disease?
- A. 2 hours
- B. 8 hours
- C. 24 hours
- D. 36 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An increase in the serum amylase can be detected as early as 2 hours after the onset of pancreatic disease. In simple acute pancreatitis, the level returns to normal in about 36 hours. In chronic disease, it remains elevated.