A nurse cares for a patient who has cirrhosis of the liver. What action would the nurse take to decrease the presence of ascites?

Monitor intake and output.

Provide a low-sodium diet.

Increase oral fluid intake.

Weigh the patient daily.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Monitoring intake and output is important in managing cirrhosis and ascites, as it helps track fluid balance and detect early signs of fluid retention. However, this action alone does not directly decrease the presence of ascites. It is more of a monitoring tool than an intervention that reduces fluid accumulation.

Choice B reason: Providing a low-sodium diet is a key intervention to decrease the presence of ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Sodium restriction helps prevent fluid retention by reducing the amount of sodium in the bloodstream, which in turn decreases the osmotic pressure that draws fluid into the abdominal cavity. This dietary modification is fundamental in the management of ascites.

Choice C reason: Increasing oral fluid intake is not an appropriate action for decreasing the presence of ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Excessive fluid intake can exacerbate fluid retention and worsen ascites. Instead, fluid intake may need to be restricted depending on the patient's condition and electrolyte balance.

Choice D reason: Weighing the patient daily is a useful tool for monitoring fluid status and detecting changes in ascites. However, similar to monitoring intake and output, this action does not directly decrease the presence of ascites. It serves as a means to track the effectiveness of other interventions, such as sodium restriction and medication.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: The supine position is when a patient lies flat on their back. Although it is commonly used for many procedures and treatments, it is not the best position for improving oxygenation in clients with ARDS. Lying flat on the back can cause the lungs to become compressed, reducing the efficiency of gas exchange and potentially leading to further respiratory complications.

Choice B reason: The prone position, where the patient is lying face down, is the recommended position to improve oxygenation in clients with ARDS. Prone positioning helps to recruit more alveoli, improves ventilation-perfusion matching, and reduces the shunting of blood through non-ventilated areas of the lung. Studies have shown that placing patients in the prone position can significantly improve oxygenation and decrease mortality in ARDS patients.

Choice C reason: The lateral side position, where the patient lies on their side, can be used for patients with certain conditions or during recovery from some surgical procedures. However, it does not provide the same benefits for improving oxygenation in ARDS as the prone position does. Lateral positioning might help with comfort and prevent pressure sores, but it does not enhance lung function and gas exchange in the same way.

Choice D reason: The Semi-Fowler's position, where the patient's head and torso are elevated to a 30-45 degree angle, is useful for promoting respiratory comfort and reducing the risk of aspiration. While it can help improve ventilation and is beneficial for patients with respiratory distress, it does not offer the same degree of improvement in oxygenation for ARDS patients as the prone position.

A. Neurogenic shock. B. Febrile seizures. C. Esophageal varices. D. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Neurogenic shock is a type of distributive shock that occurs due to a sudden loss of sympathetic nervous system signals to the smooth muscle in vessel walls. It is not a direct complication of septic shock, which is primarily caused by severe infection and systemic inflammation. While both are forms of shock, the mechanisms and causes are different.

Choice B reason: Febrile seizures are typically seen in children with high fevers and are not a common complication of septic shock in adults. Septic shock involves severe infection and systemic inflammatory response, leading to complications such as organ failure rather than febrile seizures.

Choice C reason: Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus that can bleed, often seen in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. They are not a complication of septic shock. While severe infection and systemic inflammation can lead to various complications, esophageal varices are specifically related to liver pathology.

Choice D reason: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe complication that the nurse should remain alert for in patients with septic shock. ARDS is characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to respiratory failure. It is a common and serious complication of septic shock due to the systemic inflammatory response affecting the lung tissue. Early recognition and management are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse cares for a patient who has cirrhosis of the liver. What action would the nurse take to decrease the presence of ascites?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

To improve the oxygenation of a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who is receiving mechanical ventilation, the nurse should place the client in which position?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

In a patient with septic shock, which complication will the nurse remain alert for?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is instructing the client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to maintain adequate nutritional intake. Which diet would be most appropriate?

A patient is unsure of the decision to undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD) and wishes to discuss the advantages of this treatment with the nurse. Which statements by the nurse are accurate regarding PD? Select all that apply.

A client with acute heart failure is receiving dobutamine. What is the desired effect of this drug in a patient with heart failure?

The nurse on a burn unit has just received a change-of-shift report about these clients. Which client does the nurse assess first?

The nursing care priorities for the patient with burn injuries include wound care, nutritional support, and prevention of complications such as infection. Based on these care priorities, the patient is most likely in which phase of burn care?

Nursing interventions such as taking daily weights, I&O, and monitoring specific gravity relate to which kidney function?

A nurse is caring for a postoperative 70-kg patient who had major blood loss during surgery and now has acute kidney injury. The patient does not have signs of fluid overload. Which intervention would be most effective as a fluid challenge to promote kidney perfusion?

A nurse cares for a patient who has burn injuries. The patient's wife asks, "When will his high risk for infection decrease?" How would the nurse respond?