Ch 54 Care for Patients With Problems of the Biliary System and Pancreas

A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a Whipple procedure. Which assessment finding alerts the nurse to immediately contact the primary health care provider? a. Drainage from a fistula b. Diminished bowel sounds c. Pain at the incision site d. Nasogastric (NG) tube drainage

ANS: A Complications of a Whipple procedure include secretions that drain from a fistula and peritonitis. Absent bowel sounds, pain at the incision site, and NG tube drainage are normal postoperative findings.

A nurse cares for a client with end-stage pancreatic cancer. The client asks, "Why is this happening to me?" How would the nurse respond? a. "I don't know. I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't." b. "It's important to keep a positive attitude for your family right now." c. "Scientists have not determined why cancer develops in certain people." d. "I think that this is a trial so you can become a better person because of it."

ANS: A The client is not asking the nurse to actually explain why the cancer has occurred. The client may be expressing his or her feelings of confusion, frustration, distress, and grief related to this diagnosis. Reminding the client to keep a positive attitude for his or her family does not address the client's emotions or current concerns. The nurse would validate that there is no easy or straightforward answer as to why the client has cancer. Telling a client that cancer is a trial is untrue and may negatively impact the client-nurse relationship.

The nurse is caring for a client who has possible acute pancreatitis. What serum laboratory findings would the nurse expect for this client? (Select all that apply.) a. Elevated amylase b. Elevated lipase c. Elevated glucose d. Decreased calcium e. Elevated bilirubin f. Elevated leukocyte count

ANS: A, B, C, D, E, F All of these choices are correct. Amylase and lipase are pancreatic enzymes that are released during pancreatic inflammation and injury. Leukocytes also increased due to his inflammatory response. Pancreatic injury affects the ability of insulin to be released causing increased glucose levels. Bilirubin is also typically increased due to hepatobiliary obstruction. Calcium and magnesium levels decrease because fatty acids bind free calcium and magnesium causing a lowered serum level; these changes occur in the presence of fat necrosis.

The nurse is preparing a client who has chronic pancreatitis about how to prevent exacerbations of the disease. Which health teaching will the nurse include? (Select all that apply.) a. "Avoid alcohol ingestion." b. "Be sure and balance rest with activity." c. "Avoid caffeinated beverages." d. "Avoid green, leafy vegetables." e. "Eat small meals and high-calorie snacks."

ANS: A, B, C, E Clients who have chronic pancreatitis need to avoid GI stimulants, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Food and snacks need to be high-calorie to prevent additional weight loss. Green vegetables can be consumed if tolerated by the client.

The nurse is caring for a client who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. What factors present risks for developing this type of cancer? (Select all that apply.) a. Diabetes mellitus b. Cirrhosis c. Smoking d. Female gender e. Family history f. Older age

ANS: A, B, C, E, F All of these choices are risk factors except that pancreatic cancer occurs most frequently in men.

The nurse assesses a client who has chronic pancreatitis. What assessment findings would the nurse expect for this client? (Select all that apply.) a. Ascites b. Weight gain c. Steatorrhea d. Jaundice e. Polydipsia f. Polyuria

ANS: A, C, D, E, F The client who has chronic pancreatitis has all of these signs and symptoms except he or she loses weight. Ascites and jaundice result from biliary obstruction; ascites is associated with portal hypertension. Steatorrhea is fatty stool that occurs because lipase is not available in the duodenum; because it is released by the disease pancreas into the bloodstream. Polydipsia, polyuria, and polyphagia result from diabetes mellitus, a common problem seen in clients whose pancreas is unable to release adequate amounts of insulin.

The nurse plans care for a client who has acute pancreatitis and is prescribed nothing by mouth (NPO). With which health care team members would the nurse collaborate to provide appropriate nutrition to this client? (Select all that apply.) a. Registered dietitian nutritionist b. Nursing assistant c. Clinical pharmacist d. Certified herbalist e. Primary health care provider

ANS: A, C, E Clients who are prescribed NPO while experiencing an acute pancreatitis episode may need enteral or parenteral nutrition. The nurse would collaborate with the registered dietitian nutritionist, clinical pharmacist, and primary health care provider to plan and implement the more appropriate nutritional interventions. The nursing assistant and certified herbalist would not assist with this clinical decision.

After teaching a client who has chronic pancreatitis and will be discharged with enzyme replacement therapy, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. "I will take the enzymes between meals." b. "The enteric-coated preparations cannot be crushed." c. "Swallowing the tables without chewing is best." d. "I will wipe my lips after taking the enzymes." e. "Enzymes should be taken with high-protein foods."

ANS: A, E Client teaching related to self-management of enzyme replacement therapy would include taking the enzymes with meals and snacks but not mixing enzyme preparations with protein-containing foods. Clients would not crush enteric-coated preparations and should swallow tablets without chewing to minimize oral irritation and allow the drug to be released slowly. Wiping lips after taking enzymes also minimizes skin irritation.

A client has an external percutaneous transhepatic biliary catheter inserted for a biliary obstruction. What health teaching about catheter care would the nurse provide for the client? a. "Cap the catheter drain at night to prevent leakage and skin damage." b. "Position the drainage bag lower than the catheter insertion site." c. "Irrigate the catheter with an ounce of saline every night." d. "Pierce a hole in the top of the drainage bag to get rid of odors."

ANS: B An external temporary or permanent catheter drains bile by gravity into a bag that collects bile. Therefore, the drainage bag should be lower that the catheter insertion site. The catheter should not be capped or irrigated, and no holes should be made in the bag to prevent bile from having contact with the skin.

The nurse is caring for a client who is recovering from an open traditional Whipple surgical procedure. What action would the nurse take? a. Clamp the nasogastric tube. b. Place the patient in semi-Fowler position. c. Assess vital signs once every shift. d. Provide oral rehydration.

ANS: B Postoperative care for a patient recovering from an open Whipple procedure would include placing the client in a semi-Fowler position to reduce tension on the suture line and anastomosis sites and promote breathing, setting the nasogastric tube to low continuous suction to remove free air buildup and pressure, assessing vital signs frequently to assess fluid and electrolyte complications, and providing intravenous fluids.

A client is admitted with acute pancreatitis. What priority problem would the nurse expect the client to report? a. Nausea and vomiting b. Severe boring abdominal pain c. Jaundice and itching d. Elevated temperature

ANS: B The client who has acute pancreatitis reports severe boring abdominal pain that is often rated by clients as a 10+ on a 0-10 pain scale. Nausea, vomiting, and fever may also occur, but that is not the client's priority for care.

A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from an open traditional Whipple surgical procedure. Which assessment finding(s) alert(s) the nurse to a complication from this surgery? (Select all that apply.) a. Clay-colored stools b. Substernal chest pain c. Shortness of breath d. Lack of bowel sounds or flatus e. Urine output of 20 mL/6 hr

ANS: B, C, D, E Myocardial infarction (chest pain), pulmonary embolism (shortness of breath), adynamic ileus (lack of bowel sounds or flatus), and acute kidney injury (urine output of 20 mL/6 hr) are common complications for which the nurse must assess the client after the Whipple procedure. Clay-colored stools are associated with cholecystitis and are not a complication of a Whipple procedure.

A nurse assesses a client who has cholecystitis. Which sign or symptom indicates that this condition is chronic rather than acute? a. Temperature of 100.1° F (37.8° C) b. Positive Murphy sign c. Clay-colored stools d. Upper abdominal pain after eating

ANS: C Jaundice, clay-colored stools, and dark urine are more commonly seen with chronic cholecystitis. The other symptoms are seen in clients with either chronic or acute cholecystitis.

The nurse documents the vital signs of a client diagnosed with acute pancreatitis: Apical pulse = 116 beats/min Respirations = 28 breaths/min Blood pressure = 92/50 What complication of acute pancreatitis would the nurse suspect that the client might have? a. Electrolyte imbalance b. Pleural effusion c. Internal bleeding d. Pancreatic pseudocyst

ANS: C The client is exhibiting signs of hypovolemia most likely due to internal bleeding or hemorrhage. Due to decreased blood volume, the blood pressure is low and the heart rate increases to compensate for hypovolemia to ensure organ perfusion. Respirations often increase to increase oxygen in the blood.

After teaching a client who is prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching? a. "The capsules can be opened and the powder sprinkled on applesauce if needed." b. "I will wipe my lips carefully after I drink the enzyme preparation." c. "The best time to take the enzymes is immediately after I have a meal or a snack." d. "I will not mix the enzyme powder with food or liquids that contain protein."

ANS: C The enzymes must be taken immediately before eating meals or snacks. If the client cannot swallow the capsules whole, they can be opened up and the powder sprinkled on applesauce, mashed fruit, or rice cereal. The client should wipe his or her lips carefully after drinking the enzyme preparation because the liquid could damage the skin. Protein items will be dissolved by the enzymes if they are mixed together.

A client is scheduled for a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan. What would the nurse include in client teaching about this diagnostic test? a. "You'll have to drink a contrast medium right before the test." b. "You'll need to do a bowel prep the nursing before the test." c. "You'll be able to drink liquids up until the test begins." d. "You'll have a large camera close to you during the test."

ANS: D Clients having a HIDA scan are NPO and receive an injectable nuclear medicine contrast. No bowel preparation is required. A large camera is close to the client for most of the test which can be a problem for clients who are claustrophobic.

After teaching a client who has a history of cholelithiasis, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which menu selection indicates that the client understands the dietary teaching? a. Lasagna, tossed salad with Italian dressing, and low-fat milk b. Grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, and coffee with cream c. Cream of potato soup, Caesar salad with chicken, and a diet cola d. Roasted chicken breast, baked potato with chives, and orange juice

ANS: D Clients with cholelithiasis should avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol, such as whole milk, butter, and fried foods. Lasagna, low-fat milk, grilled cheese, cream, and cream of potato soup all have high levels of fat. The meal with the least amount of fat is the chicken breast dinner.

A client had an open traditional Whipple procedure this morning. For what priority complication would the nurse assess? a. Urinary tract infection b. Chronic kidney disease c. Heart failure d. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances

ANS: D Due to the length and complexity of this type of surgery, the client is at risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances. The nurse would assess for signs and symptoms of these imbalances so they can be managed early to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.