A client with hepatic encephalopathy is receiving lactulose. Which assessment provides the nurse with the nest information to evaluate the client’s therapeutic response to the drug?

Fingerstick glucose.

Serum electrolytes and ammonia.

Stool color and character.

Serum hepatic enzymes.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. It works by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the gut, which is a toxin that can accumulate in the blood in patients with liver dysfunction.

Monitoring serum electrolytes and ammonia levels can help the nurse evaluate the eﬀectiveness of lactulose therapy. Elevated ammonia levels can indicate that the medication is not eﬀectively reducing ammonia absorption and may require adjustment in dose or frequency. Additionally, monitoring electrolyte levels can help detect any imbalances that may occur because of lactulose therapy.

Fingerstick glucose levels (option A) are not relevant to evaluating the therapeutic response of lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy.

Stool color and character (option C) may be monitored to assess the side eﬀects of lactulose, such as diarrhea, but are not the best assessments to evaluate therapeutic response.

Serum hepatic enzymes (option D) may be useful in assessing the severity of liver disease but are not the best assessment to evaluate the therapeutic response of lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Gentamicin sulfate is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can cause ototoxicity, which is damage to the inner ear leading to hearing loss or balance problems. Therefore, a decrease in hearing is an indication that the client may be experiencing an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin.

Option b, decreased blood urea nitrogen, is not an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin, but it may indicate improvement in kidney function, which can be a positive outcome of treatment.

Option c, a white blood cell count of 6,000/mm3 (6x109/L), is within the normal range and is not necessarily an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin.

Option d, photophobia, is not a common adverse eﬀect of gentamicin and may indicate a diﬀerent condition or medication eﬀect.

A. Determine if the full course of the initial prescription of medication was taken. B. Explain that the diarrhea may be an adverse eﬀect that requires further evaluation. C. Oﬀer instructions about the use of an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication. D. advise that the infection has returned, and additional medication will be needed.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary tract infections. One of the adverse eﬀects of nitrofurantoin is diarrhea, which may be severe and watery. Therefore, it is important for the home care nurse to inform the client that the diarrhea may be a side eﬀect of the medication and requires further evaluation. The nurse should instruct the client to stop taking the medication and contact their healthcare provider for further assessment and treatment. The nurse should also assess the client's ﬂuid and electrolyte status and monitor for signs of dehydration.

Option a is important to consider, but it does not address the potential adverse eﬀect of the medication.

Option c may be appropriate in some cases, but it is not the priority intervention at this time.

Option d is not necessarily true and may cause unnecessary alarm to the client.

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A client with hepatic encephalopathy is receiving lactulose. Which assessment provides the nurse with the nest information to evaluate the client’s therapeutic response to the drug?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A male client has been receiving the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate IV piggyback every 12 hours for several days. Which observations by the nurse indicate that the client may be experiencing an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Two months after taking nitrofurantoin for a bacterial infection, a client reports the onset of severe, watery diarrhea to the home care nurse. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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