Exam #4: Ch. 42-43

A patient is being treated for bleeding esophageal varices with balloon tamponade. Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care? a. Instruct the patient to cough every hour. b. Monitor the patient for shortness of breath. c. Verify the position of the balloon every 4 hours. d. Deflate the gastric balloon if the patient reports nausea.

. Monitor the patient for shortness of breath

After an unimmunized person is exposed to hepatitis B through a needle-stick injury, which actions will the nurse plan to take? (Select all that apply.) a. Administer hepatitis B vaccine. b. Test for antibodies to hepatitis B. c. Teach about α-interferon therapy. d. Give hepatitis B immune globulin. e. Explain options for oral antiviral therapy.

A, B, D

Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient how to avoid chronic constipation? (Select all that apply.) a. Stimulant and saline laxatives can be used regularly. b. Bulk-forming laxatives are an excellent source of fiber. c. Walking or cycling frequently will help bowel motility. d. A good time for a bowel movement may be after breakfast. e. Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications cause constipation.

B, C, D, E

What topic should the nurse plan to teach the patient diagnosed with acute hepatitis B? a. Administering α-interferon b. Measures for improving appetite c. Side effects of nucleotide analogs d. Ways to increase activity and exercise

Measures for improving appetite

The nurse recognizes that teaching a patient following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been effective when the patient makes which statement? a. "I can take a shower and walk around the house tomorrow." b. "I need to limit my activities and not return to work for 4 weeks." c. "I can expect yellowish drainage from the incision for a few days." d. "I will follow a low-fat diet for life because I do not have a gallbladder."

a. "I can take a shower and walk around the house tomorrow"

Which patient should the nurse assess first after receiving change-of-shift report? a. A 30-yr-old patient who has a distended abdomen and tachycardia b. A 60-yr-old patient whose ileostomy has drained 800 mL over 8 hours c. A 40-yr-old patient with ulcerative colitis who had six liquid stools in 4 hours d. A 50-yr-old patient with familial adenomatous polyposis who has occult blood in the stool

a. A 30-yr-old patient who has a distended abdomen and tachycardia

A patient has been admitted with acute liver failure. Which assessment data are most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider? a. Asterixis and lethargy b. Jaundiced sclera and skin c. Elevated total bilirubin level d. Liver 3 cm below costal margin

a. Asterixis and lethargy

A patient with Crohn's disease who is taking infliximab (Remicade) calls the nurse in the outpatient clinic about new symptoms. Which symptom is most important to communicate to the health care provider? a. Fever b. Nausea c. Joint pain d. Headache

a. Fever

The nurse administering α-interferon and ribavirin (Rebetol) to a patient with chronic hepatitis C will plan to monitor for: a. leukopenia. b. hypokalemia. c. polycythemia. d. hypoglycemia.

a. Leukopenia

Which laboratory test result will the nurse monitor to evaluate the effects of therapy for a patient who has acute pancreatitis? a. Lipase b. Calcium c. Bilirubin d. Potassium

a. Lipase

Which menu choice by the patient with diverticulosis is best for preventing diverticulitis? a. Navy bean soup and vegetable salad b. Whole grain pasta with tomato sauce c. Baked potato with low-fat sour cream d. Roast beef sandwich on whole wheat bread

a. Navy bean soup and vegetable salad

A patient is awaiting surgery for acute peritonitis. Which action will the nurse plan to include in the preoperative care? a. Position patient with the knees flexed. b. Avoid use of opioids or sedative drugs. c. Offer frequent small sips of clear liquids. d. Assist patient to breathe deeply and cough.

a. Position patient with the knees flexed

A patient in the outpatient clinic is diagnosed with acute hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Which action by the nurse is appropriate? a. Schedule the patient for HCV genotype testing. b. Administer the HCV vaccine and immune globulin. c. Teach the patient about ribavirin (Rebetol) treatment. d. Explain that the infection will resolve over a few months

a. Schedule the patient for HCV genotype testing

Which prescribed intervention for a patient with chronic short bowel syndrome should the nurse question? a. Senna 1 tablet daily b. Ferrous sulfate 325 mg daily c. Psyllium (Metamucil) 3 times daily d. Diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) PRN loose stools

a. Senna 1 tablet daily

Which finding indicates to the nurse that lactulose is effective for an older adult who has advanced cirrhosis? a. The patient is alert and oriented. b. The patient denies nausea or anorexia. c. The patient's bilirubin level decreases. d. The patient has at least one stool daily.

a. The patient is alert and oriented

The nurse is admitting a 67-yr-old patient with new-onset steatorrhea. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask? a. "How much milk do you usually drink?" b. "Have you noticed a recent weight loss?" c. "What time of day do your bowels move?" d. "Do you eat meat or other animal products?"

b. "Have you noticed a recent weight loss?"

After change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first? a. A 40-yr-old male patient with celiac disease who has frequent frothy diarrhea b. A 30-yr-old female patient with a femoral hernia who has abdominal pain and vomiting c. A 30-yr-old male patient with ulcerative colitis who has severe perianal skin breakdown d. A 40-yr-old female patient with a colostomy bag that is pulling away from the adhesive wafer

b. A 30-yr-old female patient with a femoral hernia who has abdominal pain and vomiting

What is most important for the nurse to monitor to detect possible complications in a patient with severe cirrhosis who has bleeding esophageal varices? a. Bilirubin levels b. Ammonia levels c. Potassium levels d. Prothrombin time

b. Ammonia levels

Which action should the nurse take to evaluate treatment effectiveness for a patient who has hepatic encephalopathy? a. Request that the patient stand on one foot. b. Ask the patient to extend both arms forward. c. Request that the patient walk with eyes closed. d. Ask the patient to perform the Valsalva maneuver.

b. Ask the patient to extend both arms forward

Which topic is most important to include in teaching for a 41-yr-old patient diagnosed with early alcoholic cirrhosis? a. Taking lactulose b. Avoiding all alcohol use c. Maintaining good nutrition d. Using vitamin B supplements

b. Avoiding all alcohol use

Which care activity for a patient with a paralytic ileus is appropriate for the registered nurse (RN) to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Auscultating for bowel sounds b. Brushing the teeth and tongue c. Assessing the nares for irritation d. Irrigating the nasogastric (NG) tube

b. Brushing the teeth and tongue

Which information will the nurse plan to teach a patient who has lactose intolerance? a. Ice cream is relatively low in lactose. b. Live-culture yogurt is usually tolerated. c. Heating milk will break down the lactose. d. Nonfat milk is tolerated better than whole milk.

b. Live-culture yogurt is usually tolerated

Which goal has the highest priority in the plan of care for a 26-yr-old patient who was admitted with viral hepatitis, has severe anorexia and fatigue, and is homeless? a. Increase activity level. b. Maintain adequate nutrition. c. Establish a stable environment. d. Identify source of hepatitis exposure.

b. Maintain adequate nutrition

The nurse is planning care for a patient with acute severe pancreatitis. What is the highest priority patient outcome? a. Having fluid and electrolyte balance b. Maintaining normal respiratory function c. Expressing satisfaction with pain control d. Developing no ongoing pancreatic disease

b. Maintaining normal respiratory function

What should the nurse teach a patient with chronic pancreatitis is the time to take the prescribed pancrelipase (Viokase)? a. Bedtime b. Mealtime c. When nauseated d. For abdominal pain

b. Mealtime

For a patient who has cirrhosis, which nursing action can the registered nurse (RN) delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Assessing the patient for jaundice b. Providing oral hygiene after a meal c. Palpating the abdomen for distention d. Teaching the patient the prescribed diet

b. Providing oral hygiene after a meal

Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who has been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B? a. Advise limiting alcohol intake to 1 drink daily. b. Schedule for liver cancer screening every 6 months. c. Initiate administration of the hepatitis C vaccine series. d. Monitor anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) levels.

b. Schedule for liver cancer screening every 6 months

A 19-yr-old patient has familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Which action will the nurse in the gastrointestinal clinic include in the plan of care? a. Obtain blood samples for DNA analysis. b. Schedule the patient for yearly colonoscopy. c. Provide preoperative teaching about total colectomy. d. Discuss lifestyle modifications to decrease cancer risk.

b. Schedule the patient for yearly colonoscopy

Which information obtained by the nurse interviewing a 30-yr-old male patient is most important to communicate to the health care provider? a. The patient has a history of constipation. b. The patient has noticed blood in the stools. c. The patient had an appendectomy at age 27. d. The patient smokes a pack/day of cigarettes.

b. The patient has noticed blood in the stools

Which information from a 70-yr-old patient during a health history indicates to the nurse that the patient should be screened for hepatitis C? a. The patient had a blood transfusion in 2005. b. The patient used IV drugs about 20 years ago. c. The patient frequently eats in fast-food restaurants. d. The patient traveled to a country with poor sanitation.

b. The patient used IV drugs about 20 years ago

The nurse is caring for a patient who has cirrhosis. Which data obtained by the nurse during the assessment will be of most concern? a. The patient reports right upper-quadrant pain with palpation. b. The patient's hands flap back and forth when the arms are extended. c. The patient has ascites and a 2-kg weight gain from the previous day. d. The patient's abdominal skin has multiple spider-shaped blood vessels.

b. The patient's hands flap back and forth when the arms are extended

Which assessment information will be most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider about a patient who has acute cholecystitis? a. The patient's urine is bright yellow. b. The patient's stools are tan colored. c. The patient reports chronic heartburn. d. The patient has increased pain after eating.

b. The patient's stools are tan colored

A 33-yr-old male patient with a gunshot wound to the abdomen undergoes surgery, and a colostomy is formed as shown in the accompanying figure. Which information will be included in patient teaching? a. Stool will be expelled from both stomas. b. This type of colostomy is usually temporary. c. Soft, formed stool can be expected as drainage. d. Irrigations can regulate drainage from the stomas.

b. This type of colostomy is usually temporary.

The nurse evaluates that administration of hepatitis B vaccine to a healthy patient has been effective when the patient's blood specimen reveals: a. HBsAg. b. anti-HBs. c. anti-HBc IgG. d. anti-HBc IgM.

b. anti-HBs

A patient admitted with an abrupt onset of jaundice and nausea has abnormal liver function studies, but serologic testing is negative for viral causes of hepatitis. Which question by the nurse is appropriate? a. "Have you taken corticosteroids?" b."Do you have a history of IV drug use?" c. "Do you use any over-the-counter drugs?" d. "Have you recently traveled to another country?"

c. "Do you use any over the counter drugs?"

In reviewing the medical record for a patient admitted with acute pancreatitis, the nurse sees that the patient has a positive Cullen's sign. Indicate the area in the accompanying figure where the nurse will assess for this change. a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

c. 3

During change-of-shift report, the nurse learns about the following four patients. Which patient requires assessment first? a. A 58-yr-old patient who has compensated cirrhosis and reports anorexia b. A 40-yr-old patient with chronic pancreatitis who has gnawing abdominal pain c. A 55-yr-old patient with cirrhosis and ascites who has an oral temperature of 102° F (38.8° C) d. A 36-yr-old patient recovering from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy who has severe shoulder pain

c. A 55-yr-old patient with cirrhosis and ascites who has an oral temperature of 102° F (38.8° C)

The nurse is caring for a patient with pancreatic cancer. Which nursing action is the highest priority? a. Offer psychologic support for depression. b. Offer high-calorie, high-protein dietary choices. c. Administer prescribed opioids to relieve pain as needed. d. Teach about the need to avoid scratching any pruritic areas.

c. Administer prescribed opioids to relieve pain as needed

How should the nurse prepare a patient with ascites for paracentesis? a. Place the patient on NPO status. b. Assist the patient to lie flat in bed. c. Ask the patient to empty the bladder. d. Position the patient on the right side.

c. Ask the patient to empty the bladder

A patient born in 1955 had hepatitis A infection 1 year ago. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which action should the nurse include in care when the patient is seen for a routine annual physical examination? a. Start the hepatitis B immunization series. b. Teach the patient about hepatitis A immune globulin. c. Ask whether the patient has been screened for hepatitis C. d. Test for anti-hepatitis-A virus immune globulin M (anti-HAV-IgM).

c. Ask whether the patient has been screened for hepatitis C

Which action should the nurse in the emergency department take first for a new patient who is vomiting blood? a. Insert a large-gauge IV catheter. b. Draw blood for coagulation studies. c. Check blood pressure and heart rate. d. Place the patient in the supine position.

c. Check blood pressure and heart rate.

A 19-yr-old woman is brought to the emergency department with a knife handle protruding from her abdomen. What should the nurse do during the initial assessment of the patient? a. Remove the knife and assess the wound. b. Determine the presence of Rovsing sign. c. Check for circulation and tissue perfusion. d. Insert a urinary catheter and assess for hematuria.

c. Check for circulation and tissue perfusion

Four hours after a bowel resection, a 74-yr-old male patient with a nasogastric tube to suction reports nausea and abdominal distention. What should be the nurse's first action? a.Auscultate for hypotonic bowel sounds. b. Notify the patient's health care provider. c. Check for tube placement and reposition it. d. Remove the tube and replace it with a new one.

c. Check for tube placement and reposition it

When taking the blood pressure (BP) on the right arm of a patient who has severe acute pancreatitis, the nurse notices carpal spasms of the patient's right hand. Which action should the nurse take next? a. Ask the patient about any arm pain. b. Retake the patient's blood pressure. c. Check the calcium level in the chart. d. Notify the health care provider immediately.

c. Check the calcium level in the chart

A 72-yr-old male patient with dehydration caused by an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis is receiving 5% dextrose in normal saline at 125 mL/hour. Which assessment finding by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider? a. Skin is dry with tenting and poor turgor. b. Patient has not voided for the last 2 hours. c. Crackles are heard halfway up the posterior chest. d. Patient has had 5 loose stools over the previous 6 hours.

c. Crackles are heard halfway up the posterior chest

Which activity in the care of a patient with a new colostomy could the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Document the appearance of the stoma. b. Place a pouching system over the ostomy. c. Drain and measure the output from the ostomy. d.Check the skin around the stoma for breakdown.

c. Drain and measure the output from the ostomy

A 76-yr-old patient with obstipation has a fecal impaction and is incontinent of liquid stool. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Administer bulk-forming laxatives. b. Assist the patient to sit on the toilet. c. Manually remove the impacted stool. d. Increase the patient's oral fluid intake.

c. Manually remove the impacted stool

Which assessment finding would the nurse need to report most quickly to the health care provider regarding a patient who has acute pancreatitis? a. Nausea and vomiting b. Hypotonic bowel sounds c. Muscle twitching and finger numbness d. Upper abdominal tenderness and guarding

c. Muscle twitching and finger numbness

A 36-yr-old female patient is receiving treatment for chronic hepatitis B with pegylated interferon (Pegasys). Which finding is important to communicate to the health care provider to suggest a change in therapy? a. Nausea and anorexia b. Weight loss of 2 lb (1 kg) c. Positive urine pregnancy test d. Hemoglobin level of 10.4 g/dL

c. Positive urine pregnancy test

A patient who has cirrhosis and esophageal varices is being treated with propranolol (Inderal). Which finding is the best indicator to the nurse that the medication has been effective? a. The patient reports no chest pain. b. Blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. c. Stools test negative for occult blood. d. The apical pulse rate is 68 beats/min.

c. Stools test negative for occult blood

Which finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider about a patient who received a liver transplant 1 week ago? a. Dry palpebral and oral mucosa b. Crackles at bilateral lung bases c. Temperature 100.8° F (38.2° C) d. No bowel movement for 4 days

c. Temperature 100.8 F (38.2 C)

Which response by the nurse best explains the purpose of ranitidine (Zantac) for a patient who was admitted with bleeding esophageal varices? a. The medication will reduce the risk for aspiration. b. The medication will inhibit development of gastric ulcers. c. The medication will prevent irritation of the enlarged veins. d. The medication will decrease nausea and improve the appetite.

c. The medications will prevent irritation of the enlarged veins

A patient had an incisional cholecystectomy 6 hours ago. The nurse will place the highest priority on assisting the patient to: a. perform leg exercises hourly while awake. b. ambulate the evening of the operative day. c. turn, cough, and deep breathe every 2 hours. d. choose preferred low-fat foods from the menu.

c. Turn, cough, and deep breathe every 2 hours

A patient with acute pancreatitis is NPO and has a nasogastric (NG) tube to suction. Which information obtained by the nurse indicates that these therapies have been effective? a. Bowel sounds are present. b. Grey Turner sign resolves. c. Electrolyte levels are normal. d. Abdominal pain is decreased.

d. Abdominal pain is decreased

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. Withhold both drugs. b. Administer both drugs. c. Administer the furosemide. d. Administer the spironolactone.

d. Administer the spironolactone

Which focused data should the nurse assess after identifying 4+ pitting edema on a patient who has cirrhosis? a. Hemoglobin b. Temperature c. Activity level d. Albumin level

d. Albumin level

A young adult contracts hepatitis from contaminated food. What should the nurse expect serologic testing to reveal during the acute (icteric) phase of the patient's illness? a. Antibody to hepatitis D (anti-HDV) b. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) c. Anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G (anti-HAV IgG) d. Anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin M (anti-HAV IgM)

d. Anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin M (anti-HAV IgM)

What risk factor will the nurse specifically ask about when a patient is being admitted with acute pancreatitis? a. Diabetes b. Alcohol use c. High-protein diet d, Cigarette smoking

d. Cigarette smoking

Which finding indicates to the nurse that a patient's transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placed 3 months ago has been effective? a. Increased serum albumin level b. Decreased indirect bilirubin level c. Improved alertness and orientation d. Fewer episodes of bleeding varices

d. Fewer episodes of bleeding varices

Which assessment finding is of most concern for a patient with acute pancreatitis? a. Absent bowel sounds b. Abdominal tenderness c. Left upper quadrant pain d. Palpable abdominal mass

d. Palpale abdominal mass

A nurse is considering which patient to admit to the same room as a patient who is hospitalized with acute rejection 3 weeks after a liver transplant. Which patient would be the best choice? a. Patient who is receiving chemotherapy for liver cancer b. Patient who is receiving treatment for acute hepatitis C c. Patient who has a wound infection after cholecystectomy d. Patient who requires pain management for chronic pancreatitis

d. Patient who requires pain management for chronic pancreatitis

A patient with chronic hepatitis B infection has several medications prescribed. Which medication order requires clarification with the health care provider before administration? a. Tenofovir (Viread) orally once daily b. Adefovir (Hepsera) orally once daily c. Entecarvir (Baraclude) orally once daily d. Pegylated α-interferon (Pegasys) orally once daily

d. Pegylated a-interferon (Pegasys) orally once daily

A patient with cirrhosis has ascites and 4+ edema of the feet and legs. Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care? a. Restrict daily dietary protein intake. b. Reposition the patient every 4 hours. c. Perform passive range of motion twice daily. d. Place the patient on a pressure-relief mattress.

d. Place the patient on a pressure relief mattress

After several days of antibiotic therapy for pneumonia, an older hospitalized patient develops watery diarrhea. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Notify the health care provider. b. Obtain a stool specimen for analysis. c. Teach the patient about hand washing. d. Place the patient on contact precautions.

d. Place the patient on contact precautions

Which action will be included in the care for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with asymptomatic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)? a. Teach symptoms of variceal bleeding. b. Draw blood for hepatitis serology testing. c. Discuss the need to increase caloric intake. d. Review the patient's current medication list.

d. Review the patient's current medication list