A client with suspected liver cirrhosis undergoes a liver biopsy. Which nursing action is essential following the procedure?
Encouraging the client to lie on the right side.
Administering pain medication as needed.
Monitoring vital signs every 4 hours.
Instructing the client to maintain a supine position for 12 hours.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Encouraging the client to lie on the right side after a liver biopsy is essential because this position helps to apply pressure to the biopsy site, reducing the risk of bleeding.
B. While administering pain medication may be necessary, it is not the primary nursing action following a liver biopsy compared to ensuring hemostasis and preventing complications.
C. Monitoring vital signs is important, but in this case, vital signs should be checked more frequently than every 4 hours to assess for complications like bleeding. Initial monitoring is typically every 15 minutes for the first hour and then every 30 minutes to hourly based on facility protocols.
D. Although maintaining a supine position is typically advised, the focus should be on the right side position to ensure proper hemostasis following the biopsy procedure.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) In liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension occurs due to increased pressure in the portal vein, which carries blood from the intestines to the liver. The increased pressure leads to the development of portosystemic collaterals (collateral circulation) to divert blood flow. This can cause hypersplenism, a condition where the spleen becomes enlarged and traps platelets, leading to a decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
B) Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity and is not directly related to a decreased platelet count.
C) Hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer and can be a complication of liver cirrhosis. However, it is not the likely cause of the client's decreased platelet count.
D) Splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen) can occur in liver cirrhosis due to portal hypertension. However, splenomegaly itself is not the cause of the decreased platelet count; it is the hypersplenism resulting from the splenomegaly that causes thrombocytopenia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Jaundice refers to the yellowing of the skin and eyes and is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. While jaundice can be associated with liver cirrhosis, it does not describe the symptom of severe itching.
Pruritus refers to severe itching of the skin, which can occur in clients with liver cirrhosis due to the buildup of bile acids in the blood and skin. Elevated levels of bile acids can irritate the skin, leading to itching.
Hematemesis refers to vomiting of blood and is not related to the symptom of severe itching.
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity and is not related to the symptom of severe itching.
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