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Which finding would necessitate an immediate change in the therapeutic plan for a patient with grade 2 hepatic encephalopathy?
- A. Weight loss of 2 lb (1 kg)
- B. Positive urine pregnancy test
- C. Hemoglobin level of 10.4 g/dL
- D. Complaints of nausea and anorexia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive urine pregnancy test would require an immediate change in the therapeutic plan for a patient with grade 2 hepatic encephalopathy due to the teratogenic effects of ribavirin. Ribavirin needs to be discontinued immediately to prevent harm to the fetus. The other options, weight loss, hemoglobin level, and complaints of nausea and anorexia, are common adverse effects of the prescribed regimen and may necessitate interventions such as patient education or supportive care, but they would not mandate an immediate cessation of therapy as in the case of a positive pregnancy test.
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A client is in her third month of her first pregnancy. During the interview, she tells the nurse that she has several sex partners and is unsure of the identity of the baby's father. Which of the following nursing interventions is a priority?
- A. Counsel the woman to consent to HIV screening.
- B. Perform tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
- C. Discuss her high risk for cervical cancer.
- D. Refer the client to a family planning clinic.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the client's disclosure of having multiple sex partners and uncertainty about the baby's father indicates a potential high risk for HIV. Therefore, the priority nursing intervention is to counsel the woman to consent to HIV screening. Early detection of HIV is crucial for initiating timely treatment and improving outcomes. Choices B, C, and D are not the priority in this situation as HIV screening takes precedence over testing for other sexually transmitted diseases, discussing cervical cancer risk, or referring to a family planning clinic.
Which response by the nurse best explains the purpose of ranitidine (Zantac) for a patient admitted with bleeding esophageal varices?
- A. The medication will reduce the risk of aspiration.
- B. The medication will inhibit the development of gastric ulcers.
- C. The medication will prevent irritation of the enlarged veins.
- D. The medication will decrease nausea and improve appetite.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is: 'The medication will prevent irritation of the enlarged veins.' Esophageal varices are dilated submucosal veins. The therapeutic action of H2-receptor blockers in patients with esophageal varices is to prevent irritation and bleeding from the varices caused by reflux of acidic gastric contents. While ranitidine can decrease the risk of peptic ulcers, reduce nausea, and help prevent aspiration pneumonia, the primary purpose of H2-receptor blockade in this patient is to prevent irritation and bleeding from the varices, not the other listed effects.
A clinic nurse interviews a parent who is suspected of abusing her child. Which of the
following characteristics is the nurse least likely to find in an abusing parent?
- A. Low self-esteem
- B. Unemployment
- C. Self-blame for the injury to the child
- D. Single status
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The profile of a parent at risk of abusive behavior includes a tendency to blame the child
or others for the injury sustained. Abusers typically blame others, especially their partners,
for the mistakes in their lives. This is related to hypersensitivity, but they are not
necessarily alike. This occurs because most abusive people don't hold themselves as being
accountable for the actions they commit. Instead, they'll try to shift the blame to the
person that they have abused and somehow say they "deserved it"? or that they were
forced into a corner.
Which assessment information will be most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider about a patient with acute cholecystitis?
- A. The patient's urine is bright yellow
- B. The patient's stools are tan colored
- C. The patient has increased pain after eating
- D. The patient complains of chronic heartburn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is that the patient's stools are tan colored. Tan or grey stools indicate biliary obstruction, which requires rapid intervention to resolve in a patient with acute cholecystitis. This change in stool color is a critical sign that the healthcare provider needs to be informed about promptly. The other choices are less concerning and may be common symptoms in patients with acute cholecystitis, but tan-colored stools specifically indicate a potential serious complication that warrants immediate attention.
A serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L (3.2 mmol/L) is reported for a patient with cirrhosis who has scheduled doses of spironolactone (Aldactone) and furosemide (Lasix) due. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Administer both drugs.
- B. Administer the spironolactone.
- C. Withhold the spironolactone and administer the furosemide.
- D. Withhold both drugs until discussed with the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is low (hypokalemia), which can be concerning in a patient with cirrhosis who is already at risk for electrolyte imbalances. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can help increase the patient's potassium level and correct the hypokalemia. Therefore, the appropriate action for the nurse to take in this scenario is to administer the spironolactone. Withholding the spironolactone could further lower the potassium level. Furosemide, on the other hand, is a loop diuretic that can lead to potassium loss and worsen hypokalemia; hence, it should be withheld until the nurse discusses the situation with the healthcare provider. While the healthcare provider should be informed about the low potassium value, immediate administration of spironolactone is necessary to address the hypokalemia in this patient population.