What causes hepatic encephalopathy?
- A. Buildup of ammonia in the body
- B. Buildup of urea in the body
- C. Fatty infiltration of the liver
- D. Jaundice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by the buildup of ammonia in the body. Ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, normally gets converted to urea in the liver for excretion. However, in liver dysfunction, such as cirrhosis, the liver cannot effectively convert ammonia to urea, leading to its accumulation in the body and subsequently causing hepatic encephalopathy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy.
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Participating in the development of long-term and preventive health goals with the patient and their family is part of which of the following steps for determining and fulfilling the nursing care needs of the patient?
- A. Evaluation
- B. Planning
- C. Implementation
- D. Assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Planning. Planning in nursing care involves setting long-term and preventive goals for the patient in collaboration with the patient and their family. This step ensures that a comprehensive and individualized care plan is developed. Choice A, Evaluation, comes after the interventions have been implemented to assess their effectiveness. Choice C, Implementation, is the step where the care plan is put into action. Choice D, Assessment, is the initial step that involves collecting data to identify the patient's needs, which is done before planning the care.
Which laboratory data indicate the client's pancreatitis is improving?
- A. The amylase and lipase serum levels are decreased
- B. The white blood cell count (WBC) is decreased
- C. The conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels are decreased
- D. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) serum level is decreased
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Amylase and lipase are specific markers for pancreatitis. A decrease in their serum levels indicates improvement in pancreatitis. Choice B, a decreased white blood cell count (WBC), is more indicative of an improvement in infection rather than pancreatitis. Choices C and D, decreased bilirubin levels and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels respectively, are not specific markers for pancreatitis improvement.
Which of the following is a specialized medical treatment and teaching facility that provides general and specialized medical and dental care and treatment?
- A. CONUS
- B. MEDCEN
- C. MEDCOM
- D. MEDDAC
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, MEDCEN, which stands for Medical Center. A MEDCEN is a specialized medical treatment and teaching facility that provides general and specialized medical and dental care and treatment. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. CONUS refers to the continental United States and is not a medical facility. MEDCOM stands for Medical Command, which is an organization rather than a specific facility for medical treatment. MEDDAC stands for Medical Department Activity and is also an organization responsible for medical care delivery, not a specific treatment facility.
Warfarin (Coumadin) is an anticoagulant and interferes with the action of:
- A. Platelets
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Calcium
- D. Vitamin B12
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vitamin K. Warfarin inhibits the action of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. By interfering with the production of certain clotting factors, warfarin helps prevent blood clots. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because warfarin primarily affects the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and not platelets, calcium, or vitamin B12.
Which of the following statements does NOT apply to a nursing plan of care?
- A. It contains short-term goals
- B. It is developed by the patient's physician
- C. It must be continually evaluated
- D. It contains long-range goals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A nursing plan of care is developed by the nursing staff, not the patient's physician. Choice A is correct as nursing plans of care typically include short-term goals to address immediate patient needs. Choice C is correct because nursing plans of care must be continually evaluated and adjusted based on the patient's progress. Choice D is incorrect as nursing plans of care can include both short-term and long-range goals to address the patient's overall health and well-being.