Question 1

A client is scheduled for a liver biopsy. The nurse realizes that the most important sign to assess for is:

Accepted Answer

Bleeding is the most important sign to assess for after a liver biopsy, as it is a potential complication. The nurse should monitor vital signs frequently and check for signs of bleeding such as decreased hematocrit or low blood pressure. Infection, pain, and nausea/vomiting are also important to monitor for, but bleeding is the priority.

Question 2

A client who usually smokes a pack of cigarettes a day tells the nurse that he cannot stand the smell of smoke. The nurse realizes that this client is in which phase of hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

The preicteric phase of hepatitis, also known as the prodromal phase, often includes symptoms such as aversion to smoking or the smell of cigarettes among smokers. This phase occurs before the appearance of jaundice, which is characteristic of the icteric phase.

Question 3

The nurse, caring for a client recovering from the placement of a shunt to treat portal hypertension, should assess the client for which of the following complications associated with this surgery?

Accepted Answer

Portal hypertension can result in fluid accumulation in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema. The placement of a shunt may alleviate the pressure and improve blood flow, but the nurse should still monitor the client for signs of complications such as pulmonary edema. Myocardial infarction and pulmonary emboli are not typically associated with this surgery, and decreased peripheral pulses may indicate peripheral vascular disease but are not directly related to a shunt placement.

Question 4

A female client is surprised to learn that she has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis. Which of the following should the nurse respond to this client?

Accepted Answer

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes excess absorption of iron from the diet. It is more commonly diagnosed in males but can also affect females. However, female clients often do not experience the effects of the disease until after menopause due to blood loss during their menstrual cycle. Choosing option A is incorrect because while it is true that the disease often goes undiagnosed until the client is in their 50s, it can affect people at a younger age. Option B is inappropriate as the diagnosis has been made by a physician and questioning it could cause undue stress for the client. Option D is incorrect as not all women have hemochromatosis, though they may carry the genetic mutation.

Question 5

The nurse is providing dietary instruction to a client diagnosed with Wilson's disease. Which of the following should be included in these instructions? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is providing dietary instruction to...

Question 6

A client diagnosed with cirrhosis is experiencing the complication of ascites. Which of the following would be considered treatment for this complication? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Fluid restriction, a low-sodium diet, and diuretic therapy are common treatments for ascites in cirrhosis patients to help reduce fluid accumulation.

Question 7

Because health care workers are at a greater risk of hepatitis B infection, it is recommended that all health care workers:

Accepted Answer

Health care workers are at a greater risk of contracting hepatitis B infection, and vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Handwashing is also important in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, but it does not directly protect against hepatitis B. Avoiding foreign travel and drinking bottled water are not effective measures for preventing hepatitis B infection in health care settings.

Question 8

A school age child is placed on a waiting list for a liver transplant. The nurse knows that the most common reason for children to need this type of transplant is because of:

Accepted Answer

Biliary atresia is the most common reason for a child to need a liver transplant. It is a rare condition in which the bile ducts outside and inside the liver are damaged or absent, leading to bile buildup and damage to liver cells. This can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Hepatitis C can also lead to cirrhosis and liver failure, but it is less common in children. Diabetes and Crohn's disease do not typically require a liver transplant.

Question 9

The nurse realizes that the organ which is a major site for metastases, harboring and growing cancerous cells that originated in some other part of the body, is the:

Accepted Answer

The liver is responsible for filtering blood that flows through our body. When cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, they can travel through the bloodstream and end up in the liver where they can grow and multiply, forming secondary tumors or metastases.

Question 10

A client is recovering from an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP). Which of the following should the nurse assess as possible complications from this procedure? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client is recovering from an endoscopic...

Question 11

A client is diagnosed with liver disease. Which of the following is one impact of this disorder on a client's fluid and electrolyte status?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease often leads to decreased production of albumin, which can result in fluid accumulation (edema) and dilution of electrolytes, including sodium. Hyponatremia (low sodium levels) is a common electrolyte imbalance seen in clients with liver disease. Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels), hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), and hypernatremia (high sodium levels) are not typically associated with liver disease.

Question 12

An older male is diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. The nurse knows that the most likely cause of this problem is:

Accepted Answer

Cirrhosis of the liver is most commonly caused by excessive alcohol consumption, although it can also be caused by other factors such as hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Being in the military or traveling to a foreign country would not necessarily be related to the development of cirrhosis. Eating bad food may contribute to liver disease in general, but it is not a common cause of cirrhosis.

Question 13

A client is diagnosed with a disorder of the liver. The nurse realizes this client might experience which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The liver is crucial for storing vitamins, producing clotting factors, metabolizing fats, regulating glucose, and detoxifying substances. A disorder can lead to low vitamin A levels, increased bleeding due to impaired clotting factor production, poor fat digestion due to reduced bile production, insulin resistance due to impaired glucose metabolism, and nerve damage due to toxin accumulation. Elevated vitamin E is not typically associated with liver disorders.

Question 14

When the liver is seriously damaged, ammonia levels can rise in the body. One of the treatments for this is:

Accepted Answer

Giving lactulose is the recommended treatment for elevated ammonia levels caused by liver damage. Lactulose helps to reduce ammonia levels by acidifying the colon and promoting the excretion of ammonia in the stool. Intravenous (IV) neomycin and insulin therapy may also be used to reduce ammonia levels, but they have potential side effects and are generally not considered first-line treatments. Vitamin K is not effective in treating high ammonia levels in the body.

Question 15

A child care worker complains of flu-like symptoms. On further assessment, hepatitis is suspected. The nurse realizes that this individual is at risk for which type of hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis A is often transmitted through the fecal-oral route, which can occur in child care settings where hygiene practices might be compromised.

Question 16

A client is diagnosed with portal hypertension. The nurse should assess the client for which of the following disorders associated with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Portal hypertension causes increased pressure in the portal vein system, which can lead to the formation of collateral veins. These collateral veins can develop into esophageal varices, hemorrhoids, and caput medusae (enlargement of veins in the abdomen). Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) is common in portal hypertension due to congestion in the splenic vein. Gastritis and gallstone formation are not directly associated with portal hypertension.

Question 17

A client is diagnosed with macrovesicular fatty liver. Which of the following should the nurse instruct this client?

Accepted Answer

Macrovesicular fatty liver is commonly associated with excessive alcohol intake. Therefore, the client should avoid all alcohol to prevent further damage to the liver. Jaundice is not commonly associated with macrovesicular fatty liver. While increasing exercise may be helpful in promoting a healthy lifestyle, it is not a specific treatment for this condition. Antibiotic therapy is not indicated for macrovesicular fatty liver.

Question 18

A client is demonstrating yellow pigmentation of the skin and sclera. Which of the following can be used to describe this client's symptoms? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client is demonstrating yellow pigmentation of...

Quiz 51: Hepatic, Biliary Tract, and Pancreatic Dysfunction: Nursing Management