Chapter 53: Liver Problems

The nurse is caring for a client who has late-stage (advanced) cirrhosis. What assessment findings would the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.) a. Jaundice b. Clay-colored stools c. Icterus d. Ascites e. Petechiae f. Dark urine

ANS: A, B, C, D, E, F All of these assessment findings are very common for a client who has late-stage cirrhosis due to biliary obstruction and poor liver function. The client has vascular lesions and excess fluid from portal hypertension.

The nurse is caring for a client with hepatic portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE). The client is thin and cachectic, and the family expresses distress that the patient is receiving little dietary protein. How would the nurse respond? a. "A low-protein diet will help the liver rest and will restore liver function." b. "Less protein in the diet will help prevent confusion associated with liver failure." c. "Increasing dietary protein will help the patient gain weight and muscle mass." d. "Low dietary protein is needed to prevent fluid from leaking into the abdomen."

ANS: B A low-protein diet is prescribed when serum ammonia levels increase and/or the client shows signs of PSE. A low-protein diet helps reduce excessive breakdown of protein into ammonia by intestinal bacteria. Encephalopathy is caused by excess ammonia. A low-protein diet has no impact on restoring liver function. Increasing the patient's dietary protein will cause complications of liver failure and would not be suggested. Increased intravascular protein will help prevent ascites, but clients with liver failure are not able to effectively synthesize dietary protein.

The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. What nursing action is appropriate to help control ascites? a. Monitor intake and output. b. Provide a low-sodium diet. c. Increase oral fluid intake. d. Weigh the patient daily.

ANS: B A low-sodium diet is one means of controlling abdominal fluid collection. Monitoring intake and output does not control fluid accumulation, nor does weighing the client. These interventions merely assess or monitor the situation. Increasing fluid intake would not be helpful.

The nurse is assessing a client who has hepatitis C. What extrahepatic complications would the nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply.) a. Pancreatitis b. Polyarthritis c. Heart disease d. Myalgia e. Peptic ulcer disease f. Ulcerative colitis

ANS: B, C, D The client who has hepatitis C has complications that do not relate to the liver, including polyarthritis, myalgia, heart disease and vasculitis, renal disease, and cognitive impairment.

After teaching a client who has alcohol-induced cirrhosis, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for further teaching? a. "I cannot drink any alcohol at all anymore." b. "I should not take over-the-counter medications." c. "I need to avoid protein in my diet." d. "I should eat small, frequent, balanced meals."

ANS: C Based on the degree of liver involvement and decreased function, protein intake may have to be decreased. However, some protein is necessary for the synthesis of albumin and normal healing. The other statements indicate accurate understanding of self-care measures for this client.

The nurse is caring for a client scheduled to have a transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt (TIPS) procedure. What client assessment would the nurse perform prior to this procedure? a. Musculoskeletal assessment b. Neurologic assessment c. Mental health assessment d. Cardiovascular assessment

ANS: D A postprocedure complication of a TIPS procedure is right-sided heart failure. Therefore, the nurse would perform a cardiovascular assessment before the procedure to determine if the client has signs and symptoms of heart failure.

The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which risk factor is the leading cause of cirrhosis? a. Metabolic syndrome b. Liver cancer c. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease d. Hepatitis C

ANS: D Hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis and an also cause liver cancer. Clients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often have metabolic syndrome and can also develop cirrhosis.

The nurse is teaching a client a client about taking elbasvir for hepatitis C. What information in the client's history would the nurse need prior to drug administration? a. History of hepatitis B b. History of kidney disease c. History of cardiac disease d. History of rectal bleeding

ANS: A Elbasvir can cause liver toxicity and therefore the nurse would assess for a history of or current hepatitis B.

A nurse teaches a client with hepatitis C who is prescribed ribavirin (Copegus). Which statement should the nurse include in this clients discharge education? a. Use a pill organizer to ensure you take this medication as prescribed. b. Transient muscle aching is a common side effect of this medication c. Follow up with your provider in 1 week to test your blood for toxicity. d. Take your radial pulse for 1 minute prior to taking this medication.

ANS: A Treatment of hepatitis C with ribavirin takes up to 48 weeks, making compliance a serious issue. The nurse should work with the client on a strategy to remain compliant for this length of time. Muscle aching is not a common side effect. The client will be on this medication for many weeks and does not need a blood toxicity examination. There is no need for the client to assess his or her radial pulse prior to taking the medication.

A nurse assesses a male client who has symptoms of cirrhosis. Which questions should the nurse ask to identify potential factors contributing to this laboratory result? (Select all that apply.) a. How frequently do you drink alcohol? b. Have you ever had sex with a man? c. Do you have a family history of cancer? d. Have you ever worked as a plumber? e. Were you previously incarcerated?

ANS: A, B, E When assessing a client with suspected cirrhosis, the nurse should ask about alcohol consumption, including amount and frequency; sexual history and orientation (specifically men having sex with men); illicit drug use; history of tattoos; and history of military service, incarceration, or work as a firefighter, police officer, or health care provider. A family history of cancer and work as a plumber do not put the client at risk for cirrhosis.

A nurse obtains a clients health history at a community health clinic. Which statement alerts the nurse to provide health teaching to this client? a. I drink two glasses of red wine each week. b. I take a lot of Tylenol for my arthritis pain. c. I have a cousin who died of liver cancer. d. I got a hepatitis vaccine before traveling.

ANS: B Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause liver damage if taken in large amounts. Clients should be taught not to exceed 4000 mg/day of acetaminophen. The nurse should teach the client about this limitation and should explore other drug options with the client to manage his or her arthritis pain. Two glasses of wine each week, a cousin with liver cancer, and the hepatitis vaccine do not place the client at risk for a liver disorder, and therefore do not require any health teaching.

A nurse assesses clients on the medical-surgical unit. Which client is at greatest risk for the development of carcinoma of the liver? a. A 22-year-old with a history of blunt liver trauma b. A 48-year-old with a history of diabetes mellitus c. A 66-year-old who has a history of cirrhosis d. An 82-year-old who has chronic malnutrition

ANS: C The risk of contracting a primary carcinoma of the liver is higher in clients with cirrhosis from any cause. Blunt liver trauma, diabetes mellitus, and chronic malnutrition do not increase a persons risk for developing liver cancer.

A telehealth nurse speaks with a client who is recovering from a liver transplant 2 weeks ago. The client states, "I'm having right belly pain and have a temperature of 101° F (38.3° C)." How would the nurse respond? a. "The anti-rejection drugs you are taking make you susceptible to infection." b. "You should go to the hospital immediately to get checked out." c. "You should take an additional dose of cyclosporine today." d. "Take acetaminophen every 4 hours until you feel better soon."

ANS: B Fever, right abdominal quadrant pain, and jaundice are signs of possible liver transplant rejection; the client would be admitted to the hospital as soon as possible for intervention. Antirejection drugs do make a client more susceptible to infection, but this client has signs of rejection, not infection. The nurse would not advise the client to take an additional dose of cyclosporine or acetaminophen as these medications will not treat the acute rejection.

An emergency room nurse assesses a client with potential liver trauma. Which clinical manifestations should alert the nurse to internal bleeding and hypovolemic shock? (Select all that apply.) a. Hypertension b. Tachycardia c. Flushed skin d. Confusion e. Shallow respirations

ANS: B, D Symptoms of hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock include hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, pallor, diaphoresis, cool and clammy skin, and confusion.

A nurse assesses a client who has liver disease. Which laboratory findings should the nurse recognize as potentially causing complications of this disorder? (Select all that apply.) a. Elevated aspartate transaminase b. Elevated international normalized ratio (INR) c. Decreased serum globulin levels d. Decreased serum alkaline phosphatase e. Elevated serum ammonia f. Elevated prothrombin time (PT)

ANS: B, E, F Elevated INR and PT are indications of clotting disturbances and alert the nurse to the increased possibility of hemorrhage. Elevated ammonia levels increase the client's confusion. The other values are abnormal and associated with liver disease but do not necessarily place the client at increased risk for complications.

After teaching a client who has plans to travel to a non-industrialized country, the nurse assesses the clients understanding regarding the prevention of viral hepatitis. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for additional teaching? a. I should drink bottled water during my travels. b. I will not eat off anothers plate or share utensils. c. I should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. d. I will wash my hands frequently and thoroughly.

ANS: C The client should be advised to avoid fresh, raw fruits and vegetables because they can be contaminated by tap water. Drinking bottled water, and not sharing plates, glasses, or eating utensils are good ways to prevent illness, as is careful handwashing.

The nurse is caring for a client who has a risk gene for developing cirrhosis. Which racial/ethnic group has this gene most often? a. Blacks b. Asian/Pacific Islanders c. Latinos d. French

ANS: C The Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) has been identified as a risk gene for cirrhosis, which occurs most often in Latinos when compared to other populations.

The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a paracentesis. Which action is appropriate for the nurse to take? a. Have the client sign the informed consent form. b. Get the patient into a chair before the procedure. c. Help the client lie flat in bed on the right side. d. Assist the client to void before the procedure.

ANS: D For safety, the patient would void just before a paracentesis to prevent bladder damage to the procedure. The primary health care provider would have the client sign the consent form. The proper position for a paracentesis is sitting upright in bed or, alternatively, sitting on the side of the bed and leaning over the bedside table.

The nurse is caring for a client with early encephalopathy due to cirrhosis of the liver. Which factors may contribute to increased encephalopathy for which the nurse would assess? (Select all that apply.) a. Infection b. GI bleeding c. Irritable bowel syndrome d. Constipation e. Anemia f. Hypovolemia

ANS: A, B, D, F Anemia and irritable bowel syndrome are unrelated to developing or worsening encephalopathy, which is caused by increased protein which breaks down into ammonia. Infection can cause hypovolemia which would increase serum protein concentration. Constipation and GI bleeding causes a large protein load in the intestines.

The nurse is caring for a client with hepatitis C. The client's brother states, "I do not want to get this infection, so I'm not going into his hospital room." How would the nurse respond? a. "Hepatitis C is not spread through casual contact." b. "If you wear a gown and gloves, you will not get this virus." c. "This virus is only transmitted through a fecal specimen." d. "I can give you an update on your brother's status from here."

ANS: A Although family members may be afraid that they will contract hepatitis C, the nurse would educate them about how the virus is spread. Hepatitis C is spread via blood-to-blood transmission and is associated with illicit IV drug needle sharing, blood and organ transplantation, accidental needlesticks, unsanitary tattoo equipment, and sharing of intranasal drug paraphernalia. Wearing a gown and gloves will not decrease the transmission of this virus. Hepatitis C is not spread through casual contact or a fecal specimen. The nurse would be violating privacy laws by sharing the client's status with the brother.

A nurse assesses clients at a community health fair. Which client is at greatest risk for the development of hepatitis B? a. A 20-year-old college student who has had several sexual partners b. A 46-year-old woman who takes acetaminophen daily for headaches c. A 63-year-old businessman who travels frequently across the country d. An 82-year-old woman who recently ate raw shellfish for dinner

ANS: A Hepatitis B can be spread through sexual contact, needle sharing, needle sticks, blood transfusions, hemodialysis, acupuncture, and the maternal-fetal route. A person with multiple sexual partners has more opportunities to contract the infection. Hepatitis B is not transmitted through medications, casual contact with other travelers, or raw shellfish. Although an overdose of acetaminophen can cause liver cirrhosis, this is not associated with hepatitis B. Hepatitis E is found most frequently in international travelers. Hepatitis A is spread through ingestion of contaminated shellfish.

A nurse cares for a client with hepatopulmonary syndrome who is experiencing dyspnea with oxygen saturations at 92%. The client states, I do not want to wear the oxygen because it causes my nose to bleed. Get out of my room and leave me alone! Which action should the nurse take? a. Instruct the client to sit in as upright a position as possible. b. Add humidity to the oxygen and encourage the client to wear it. c. Document the clients refusal, and call the health care provider. d. Contact the provider to request an extra dose of the clients diuretic.

ANS: A The client with hepatopulmonary syndrome is often dyspneic. Because the oxygen saturation is not significantly low, the nurse should first allow the client to sit upright to see if that helps. If the client remains dyspneic, or if the oxygen saturation drops further, the nurse should investigate adding humidity to the oxygen and seeing whether the client will tolerate that. The other two options may be beneficial, but they are not the best choices. If the client is comfortable, his or her agitation will decrease; this will improve respiratory status.

The nurse is assessing a client with hepatitis C. The client asks the nurse how it was possible to have this disease. What questions might the nurse ask to help the client determine how the disease was contracted? (Select all that apply.) a. "How old are you?" b. "Do you work in health care? c. "Are you receiving hemodialysis?" d. "Do you use IV drugs?" e. "Did you receive blood before 1992?" f. "Have you even been in prison or jail?"

ANS: A, B, C, D, E, F The nurse would ask all of these questions because "baby boomers," people who use illicit drugs, people on hemodialysis, health workers, and prisoners are at a very high risk for hepatitis C. Additionally, individuals who received blood, blood products, or an organ transplant prior to 1992 before bloodborne disease screening of these products was mandated are at risk for hepatitis C.

The nurse is teaching assistive personnel (AP) about care of a client who has advanced cirrhosis. Which statements would the nurse include in the staff teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. "Apply lotion to the client's dry skin areas." b. "Use a basin with warm water to bathe the patient." c. "For the patient's oral care, use a soft toothbrush." d. "Provide clippers so the patient can trim the fingernails." e. "Bathe with antibacterial and water-based soaps."

ANS: A, C, D Clients with advanced cirrhosis often have pruritus. Lotion will help decrease itchiness from dry skin. A soft toothbrush would be used to prevent gum bleeding, and the client's nails would need to be trimmed short to prevent the patient from scratching himself or herself. These clients should use cool, not warm, water on their skin, and should not use excessive amounts of soap.

An infection control nurse develops a plan to decrease the number of health care professionals who contract viral hepatitis at work. Which ideas should the nurse include in this plan? (Select all that apply.) a. Policies related to consistent use of Standard Precautions b. Hepatitis vaccination mandate for workers in high-risk areas c. Implementation of a needleless system for intravenous therapy d. Number of sharps used in client care reduced where possible e. Postexposure prophylaxis provided in a timely manner

ANS: A, C, D, E Nurses should always use Standard Precautions for client care, and policies should reflect this. Needleless systems and reduction of sharps can help prevent hepatitis. Postexposure prophylaxis should be provided immediately. All health care workers should receive the hepatitis vaccinations that are available.

An emergency room nurse assesses a client after a motor vehicle crash. The nurse notices a steering wheel mark across the clients chest. Which action should the nurse take? a. Ask the client where in the car he or she was sitting during the crash. b. Assess the client by gently palpating the abdomen for tenderness. c. Notify the laboratory to draw blood for blood type and crossmatch. d. Place the client on the stretcher in reverse Trendelenburg position.

ANS: B The liver is often injured by a steering wheel in a motor vehicle crash. Because the clients chest was marked by the steering wheel, the nurse should perform an abdominal assessment. Assessing the clients position in the crash is not needed because of the steering wheel imprint. The client may or may not need a blood transfusion. The client does not need to be in reverse Trendelenburg position.

The nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a paracentesis 1 hour ago. Which assessment finding would require immediate action by the nurse? a. Urine output via indwelling urinary catheter is 20 mL/hr b. Blood pressure increases from 110/58 to 120/62 mm Hg c. Respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 16 breaths/min d. A decrease in the client's weight by 3 lb (1.4 kg)

ANS: A Rapid removal of ascitic fluid causes decreased abdominal pressure, which can contribute to hypovolemia. This can be manifested by a decrease in urine output to below 30 mL/hr. A slight increase in systolic blood pressure is insignificant. A decrease in respiratory rate indicates that breathing has been made easier by the procedure. The nurse would expect the client's weight to drop as fluid is removed. To prevent hypovolemic shock, no more than 2000 mL are usually removed from the abdomen at one time. The patient's weight typically only decreases by less than 2 kg or 4.4 lb.

The nurse is preparing to teach a client with chronic hepatitis B about lamivudine therapy. What health teaching would the nurse include? a. "Follow up on all appointments to monitor your lab values." b. "Do not take amiodorone at any time while on this drug." c. "Monitor for jaundice, rash, and itchy skin while on this drug." d. "Report any changes in urinary elimination while on this drug."

ANS: D Lamivudine can cause renal impairment and the nurse would remind the client of changes that may indicate kidney damage.

A nurse cares for a client who is hemorrhaging from bleeding esophageal varices and has an esophagogastric tube. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Sedate the client to prevent tube dislodgement. b. Maintain balloon pressure at 15 and 20 mm Hg. c. Irrigate the gastric lumen with normal saline. d. Assess the client for airway patency.

ANS: D Maintaining airway patency is the primary nursing intervention for this client. The nurse suctions oral secretions to prevent aspiration and occlusion of the airway. The client usually is intubated and mechanically ventilated during this treatment. The client should be sedated, balloon pressure should be maintained between 15 and 20 mm Hg, and the lumen can be irrigated with saline or tap water. However, these are not a higher priority than airway patency.

A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed an infusion of vasopressin (Pitressin) for bleeding esophageal varices. Which clinical manifestation should alert the nurse to a serious adverse effect? a. Nausea and vomiting b. Frontal headache c. Vertigo and syncope d. Mid-sternal chest pain

ANS: D Mid-sternal chest pain is indicative of acute angina or myocardial infarction, which can be precipitated by vasopressin. Nausea and vomiting, headache, and vertigo and syncope are not side effects of vasopressin.

The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed lactulose. The client states, "I do not want to take this medication because it causes diarrhea." How would the nurse respond? a. "Diarrhea is expected; that's how your body gets rid of ammonia." b. "You may take antidiarrheal medication to prevent loose stools." c. "Do not take any more of the medication until your stools firm up." d. "We will need to send a stool specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible."

ANS: A The purpose of administering lactulose to this patient is to help ammonia leave the circulatory system through the colon. Lactulose draws water into the bowel with its high osmotic gradient, thereby producing a laxative effect and subsequently evacuating ammonia from the bowel. The patient must understand that this is an expected and therapeutic effect for him or her to remain compliant. The nurse would not suggest administering anything that would decrease the excretion of ammonia or holding the medication. There is no need to send a stool specimen to the laboratory because diarrhea is the therapeutic response to this medication.

The nurse plans care for a patient who has hepatopulmonary syndrome. Which interventions would the nurse include in this client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.) a. Oxygen therapy b. Prone position c. Feet elevated on pillows d. Daily weights e. Physical therapy f. Respiratory therapy

ANS: A, C, D, F Care for a client who has hepatopulmonary syndrome would include oxygen therapy, the head of bed elevated at least 30 degrees or as high as the client wants to improve breathing, elevated feet to decrease dependent edema, and daily weights. There is no need to place the patient in a prone position, on the patient's stomach. Although physical therapy may be helpful to a patient who has been hospitalized for several days, physical therapy is not an intervention specifically for hepatopulmonary syndrome. However, respiratory support from a specialized therapist may be needed.

After teaching a client who has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding of the teaching? a. "Some medications have been known to cause hepatitis A." b. "I may have been exposed when we ate shrimp last weekend." c. "I was infected with hepatitis A through a recent blood transfusion." d. "My infection with Epstein-Barr virus can co-infect me with hepatitis A."

ANS: B The route of transmission for hepatitis A infection is through close personal contact or ingestion of contaminated water or shellfish. Hepatitis A is not transmitted through medications, blood transfusions, or Epstein-Barr virus. Toxic and drug-induced hepatitis is caused from exposure to hepatotoxins, but this is not a form of hepatitis A. Hepatitis B can be spread through blood transfusions. Epstein-Barr virus causes a secondary infection that is not associated with hepatitis A.

The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis from substance abuse. The client states, "All of my family hates me." How would the nurse respond? a. "You should make peace with your family." b. "This is not unusual. My family hates me too." c. "I will help you identify a support system." d. "You must attend Alcoholics Anonymous."

ANS: C Clients who have cirrhosis due to addiction may have alienated relatives over the years because of substance abuse. The nurse would assist the client to identify a friend, neighbor, clergy/spiritual leader, or group for support. The nurse would not minimize the patient's concerns. Attending AA may be appropriate, but this response doesn't address the client's concern. "Making peace" with the client's family may not be possible. This statement is not client-centered.