A patient who has portal system encephalopathy is receiving Neomycin (neomycin sulfate). Which manifestation would indicate to the nurse that the patient's condition is improving?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neomycin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat portal system encephalopathy, a complication of liver disease. It works by decreasing the amount of ammonia-producing bacteria in the gut, which reduces the level of ammonia absorbed into the bloodstream and therefore improves brain function. Increased level of consciousness is a manifestation of improvement in portal system encephalopathy. Asterixis (liver flap) is a sign of portal system encephalopathy, and so it would not indicate improvement. Relief of jaundice may be an improvement in liver function but does not indicate improvement of portal system encephalopathy. An increase in potassium level is not related to the treatment of portal system encephalopathy.

A Patient Who Has Portal System Encephalopathy Is Receiving Neomycin