Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient with hepatitis C who is treating the illness with licorice root. Which statement by the patient requires follow-up regarding this medication?

Accepted Answer

Licorice root can cause fluid retention and electrolyte imbalances, leading to symptoms like swelling in the fingers. This would require follow-up to address potential side effects or complications from the use of licorice root.

Question 2

A patient arrives at the clinic for follow-up care for pancreatitis. The patient lives alone, has high cholesterol levels, and admits to alcoholism. What is the priority intervention for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism is the major risk factor for pancreatitis, and patients with pancreatitis need to stop alcohol intake. Therefore, the priority intervention is providing information on alcohol cessation programs.

Question 3

The nurse is preparing a patient with pancreatitis for discharge to home. The nurse is instructing the patient about decreasing pancreatic stimulation to reduce pain. What method should the nurse suggest?

Accepted Answer

To decrease pancreatic stimulation, the nurse should suggest the patient avoid the smell of food. The other options do not relate to reducing pancreatic stimulation.

Question 4

A patient is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The health care provider has indicated that there is a chance that the procedure may need to be done as an open cholecystectomy. The nurse knows that if the patient has an open procedure, what is more likely?

Accepted Answer

If the patient undergoes an open cholecystectomy, it is more likely that they will have a T-tube placed to allow for drainage of bile. In a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the bile can usually drain internally without the need for a T-tube. The other options (A, B, and C) are not necessarily related to the type of cholecystectomy performed.

Question 5

The nurse is teaching a patient about modifiable risk factors for cholelithiasis. Which specific factors would the nurse discuss?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Modifiable risk factors for cholelithiasis include obesity, alternating rapid weight loss with rapid regaining of the weight, and elevated serum cholesterol. Age and family history are non-modifiable risk factors.

Question 6

The nurse is presenting a community education session on the prevention of liver cancer. Which information should the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

The best way to prevent liver cancer is by avoiding high-risk behaviors (such as drug use, unprotected sex, and sharing needles) that increase the chances of contracting hepatitis B and C, as well as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. Regular exercise and cleanliness in public restaurants are not directly related to liver cancer prevention. While early detection is important, it is not the best way to prevent liver cancer, as prevention should focus on reducing risk factors.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from a humanitarian trip to Central America. The patient is jaundiced and is diagnosed with hepatitis A. The patient is the parent of three school-age children. Which statement by the patient is a priority for follow-up?

Accepted Answer

The patient being a parent of school-age children makes it a priority to ensure the children do not contract the virus. The patient may be contagious and should follow instructions to prevent the spread of infection. It is important to educate the patient on how to care for themselves and their children while they recover from the virus.

Question 8

A patient with chronic pancreatitis is taking pancreatic enzymes. Which statement would indicate to the nurse that the patient correctly understands instruction about this medication?

Accepted Answer

Pancreatic enzymes should be taken with food to aid in digestion. Taking the medication right before bedtime may not be effective as the patient is not eating at that time. Lab work may monitor enzyme levels, but this statement does not demonstrate an understanding of how to take the medication. Taking the medication only when stomach is hurting does not follow a regular schedule and may not be effective in managing the patient's symptoms.

Question 9

A patient in the icteric phase of hepatitis asks the nurse, "Why are my stools no longer brown?" How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient in the icteric phase of...

Question 10

A patient with liver cancer has been admitted to hospice. The patient asks why he developed this disease. The nurse knows there is a high likelihood this patient has which medical history?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for liver cancer. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver cirrhosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient with pancreatic cancer. The nurse closely monitors for jaundice, knowing that which assessments closely correlate with jaundice?. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is caring for a patient...

Question 12

A patient with end-stage pancreatic cancer is admitted to the nursing unit. The patient is lethargic and jaundiced. What is the priority nursing care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The priority nursing care for a patient with end-stage pancreatic cancer who is lethargic and jaundiced is to manage comfort. This includes addressing pain, nausea, and other symptoms to improve the patient's quality of life. Nutrition and activity may be important considerations, but they are not the immediate priority in this case. Understanding the effects of high bilirubin levels is also important, but it is not the priority nursing care.

Question 13

A patient admitted with acute pancreatitis has a nasogastric tube, is in pain, and is on bed rest. The patient says, "I don't understand why I can't eat." How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should explain the purpose of the nasogastric tube and the reasons for keeping the patient NPO. This would include preventing further irritation of the pancreas and helping with healing. It is important for the patient to understand why they are not allowed to eat at this time. Starting the patient on clear liquids or telling the patient that pain medication is limited or that IV fluids are sufficient is not the appropriate response to the patient's statement.

Question 14

Often a patient with pancreatic cancer tends to lose weight due to the inability of the body to absorb nutrients. The nurse instructs the patient to be alert to which finding that may indicate malabsorption?

Accepted Answer

Steatorrhea, which is the presence of fatty, oily, and foul-smelling stools, indicates that fat is not being absorbed properly by the body. This can be a sign of malabsorption, which is a common complication of pancreatic cancer. Vomiting, jaundice, and pain may also occur in pancreatic cancer, but do not specifically indicate malabsorption.

Question 15

A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. The nurse recognizes that nutritional outcomes have been met after assessing which finding regarding the patient's weight?
0.5 pounds over 1 week

Accepted Answer

In acute pancreatitis, the patient may have difficulty digesting and absorbing nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss. Therefore, an increase in weight would indicate that the patient's nutritional outcomes have been met. Choices B, C, and D indicate a decrease in weight, which would suggest that the patient's nutritional status is still at risk.

Quiz 38: Caring for the Patient With Hepatic and Biliary Disorders