A nurse is caring for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with liver disease.
Which laboratory values should the nurse anticipate the healthcare provider will order to confirm this diagnosis?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

D-dimer

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Albumin .

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale
An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can detect and monitor inflammation in the body. It measures the rate at which red blood cells (erythrocytes) in a test tube separate from blood serum over time, with the rate being faster in people with inflammatory diseases. While it can be elevated in many conditions, including liver disease, it is not specific to liver disease and therefore would not typically be used to confirm a diagnosis of liver disease.
Choice B rationale
D-dimer is a small protein fragment present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis. It is typically used to rule out thrombosis (blood clots), not to diagnose liver disease.
Choice C rationale
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver and sent into the bloodstream in response to inflammation. While it can be elevated in many conditions, including liver disease, it is not specific to liver disease and therefore would not typically be used to confirm a diagnosis of liver disease.

Choice D rationale
Albumin is a protein made by the liver, and measuring its levels can help diagnose liver disease. When the liver is damaged, it can’t make enough albumin, so the level of albumin in the blood gets lower. This is why albumin is often used as a marker of liver function, and why it would be anticipated in the laboratory values ordered to confirm a diagnosis of liver disease.
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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Consuming a large amount of alcohol at one time can lead to liver damage and other health problems, but it does not directly cause hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily spreads through contact with infected blood.
Choice B rationale
Coming into contact with infected blood, such as from a dirty needle, can indeed cause you to become infected with hepatitis C. This is one of the most common ways the virus is transmitted, particularly through sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs.
Choice C rationale
Hepatitis C does not typically spread through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids such as saliva. The virus is primarily bloodborne, meaning it spreads through direct contact with infected blood.
Choice D rationale
Eating contaminated food or water from an infected source does not cause hepatitis C. The virus does not spread through food or water, or by casual contact.

A. Document the bowel sounds as hypoactive B. Administer prescribed drugs for constipation C. Review dietary intake for the past 24 hours D. Continue to listen for at least another 60 seconds

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Documenting the bowel sounds as hypoactive is not the most appropriate action. Hypoactive bowel sounds are fewer than three bowel sound events in a minute or none at all. However, the absence of bowel sounds does not necessarily mean they are hypoactive. It could be due to other reasons such as ileus.
Choice B rationale
Administering prescribed drugs for constipation is not the immediate course of action when the nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds. Constipation is a condition that can cause hypoactive bowel sounds, but it’s not the only reason for the absence of bowel sounds. The nurse should first confirm the absence of bowel sounds before considering this action.
Choice C rationale

Reviewing dietary intake for the past 24 hours is not the immediate course of action. While diet can affect bowel sounds, it’s not the first step when bowel sounds are not heard. The nurse should first confirm the absence of bowel sounds before considering this action.
Choice D rationale
The correct action when the nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds is to continue to listen for at least another 60 seconds. Bowel sounds are produced by the movement of fluid, gas, and contents through the intestines. An absence of bowel sounds for greater than two minutes may indicate that there is no peristalsis—which implies an ileus.
Therefore, the nurse should continue to listen for at least another 60 seconds to confirm the absence of bowel sounds.

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A nurse is caring for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with liver disease. Which laboratory values should the nurse anticipate the healthcare provider will order to confirm this diagnosis?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse doesn’t hear any gurgling while listening to bowel sounds. What should be the nurse’s next course of action?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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A nurse is caring for a patient who has recently been diagnosed with liver disease.
Which laboratory values should the nurse anticipate the healthcare provider will order to confirm this diagnosis?