Adult Exam 3
A nurse assesses a patient who has cholecystitis. Which clinical manifestation indicates that the condition is chronic rather than acute?
Light-colored stools
A nurse cares for a patient with hepatitis C. The patient's brother states, "I do not want to contract this infection, so I will not go into his hospital room." How would the nurse respond?
"Viral hepatitis is not spread through casual contact."
A nurse cares for a patient who is prescribed lactulose (Heptalac). The patient states, "I do not want to take this medication because it causes diarrhea." How would the nurse respond?
"Diarrhea is expected; that's how your body gets rid of ammonia."
After teaching a patient who has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, , the nurse assesses the patient's understanding. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
"I may have been exposed when we ate shrimp last weekend."
A nurse obtains a patient's health history at a community health clinic. Which statement alerts the nurse to provide health teaching to this patient?
"I take a lot of Tylenol for my arthritis pain."
After teaching a patient who has diverticulitis, a nurse assesses the patient's understanding. Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for additional teaching?
"I will take a laxative nightly at bedtime to avoid becoming constipated."
After teaching a patient who is prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, the nurse assesses the patient's understanding. Which statement made by the patient indicates a need for additional teaching?
"The best time to take the enzymes is immediately after I have a meal or a snack."
A nurse cares for a patient who has a family history of colon cancer. The patient states, "My father and my brother had colon cancer. What is the chance that I will get cancer?" How would the nurse respond?
"You should have a colonoscopy more frequently to identify abnormal polyps early."
A nurse assesses patients at a community health fair. Which patient is at greatest risk for the development of hepatitis B?
A 20-year-old college student who has had several sexual partners
A nurse cares for a patient who is hemorrhaging from bleeding esophageal varices and has an esophagogastric tube. What action would the nurse take first?
Assess the patient for airway patency.
A nurse cares for a patient who is recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. The patient reports pain in the shoulder blades. How would the nurse respond?
Ambulating in the hallway twice a day will help.
A nurse cares for a patient who has obstructive jaundice. The patient asks, "Why is my skin so itchy?" How would the nurse respond?
Bile salts accumulate in the skin and cause the itching.
A morbidly obese patient is admitted to a community hospital that does not typically care for bariatric-sized patients. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Ensure adequate staff when moving the patient.
After teaching a patient who is recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, the nurse assesses the patient's understanding. Which statement made by the patient indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
I will decrease the amount of fatty foods in my diet.
A nurse plans care for a patient with acute pancreatitis. Which intervention would the nurse include in this patient's plan of care to reduce discomfort?
Maintain nothing by mouth (NPO) and administer intravenous fluids.
A nurse assesses a patient who is recovering from an ileostomy placement. Which clinical manifestation would alert the nurse to urgently contact the health care provider?
Pale and bluish stoma
A nurse cares for a patient who has cirrhosis of the liver. What action would the nurse take to decrease the presence of ascites?
Provide a low-sodium diet
A nurse reviews the chart of a patient who has Crohn's disease and a draining fistula. Which documentation would alert the nurse to urgently contact the provider for additional prescriptions?
Serum potassium of 2.6 mEq/L (2.6 mmol/L)
A nurse assesses a patient who appendicitis. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to find?
Severe, steady right lower quadrant pai
