A nurse is teaching a client with cirrhosis about preventing hepatic encephalopathy. Which dietary recommendation should the nurse emphasize?
High-carbohydrate diet to maintain energy
Low-protein diet to reduce ammonia production
High-fat diet to support liver function
Low-potassium diet to prevent arrhythmias
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: A high-carbohydrate diet provides energy but does not prevent hepatic encephalopathy. While carbohydrates are important for nutrition in cirrhosis, they do not address ammonia accumulation, the primary driver of encephalopathy, making this less effective than protein restriction for this complication.
Choice B reason: A low-protein diet reduces ammonia production in cirrhosis by limiting amino acid metabolism, which generates ammonia in the gut. This helps prevent hepatic encephalopathy, as the liver cannot detoxify excess ammonia, making this the most effective dietary strategy to manage this complication.
Choice C reason: A high-fat diet is not recommended in cirrhosis, as it may stress the liver’s impaired bile production and fat metabolism, potentially worsening steatosis. It does not reduce ammonia levels or prevent encephalopathy, making this an inappropriate recommendation for managing this specific complication.
Choice D reason: A low-potassium diet is not relevant to preventing hepatic encephalopathy. Potassium imbalances may occur with diuretics in cirrhosis, but they do not influence ammonia levels or encephalopathy risk, making this dietary restriction unnecessary for this specific goal.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Beta blockers are used in cirrhosis to reduce portal hypertension and variceal bleeding risk but are not a priority in acute liver failure. They do not address immediate life-threatening issues like hemodynamic instability or respiratory compromise, which are critical in acute liver failure management.
Choice B reason: Maintaining airway and stabilizing circulation is the priority in acute liver failure, as patients may develop cerebral edema, causing respiratory compromise, or coagulopathy, leading to bleeding and shock. Ensuring oxygenation and hemodynamic stability prevents multi-organ failure, addressing the most immediate life-threatening complications of liver failure.
Choice C reason: Paracentesis removes ascitic fluid in cirrhosis but is not a priority in acute liver failure, where ascites is less prominent. It does not address urgent issues like airway compromise or circulatory shock, which are critical in preventing rapid deterioration in acute liver failure.
Choice D reason: Vitamin K corrects coagulopathy from liver dysfunction but is not the priority in acute liver failure. While bleeding risk is significant, airway and circulatory stability take precedence, as respiratory failure or shock are more immediately life-threatening than correctable coagulopathy in this acute setting.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Mild incisional pain is expected post-cholecystectomy due to surgical trauma and tissue healing. It is managed with analgesics and does not indicate an acute complication requiring immediate intervention, unlike signs of potential bowel obstruction or peritonitis, which are more urgent.
Choice B reason: Absence of bowel sounds suggests paralytic ileus or bowel obstruction, a serious post-cholecystectomy complication. This may result from surgical manipulation or peritonitis, requiring immediate intervention to prevent perforation or sepsis, as it indicates impaired gastrointestinal motility, making this the priority finding.
Choice C reason: Yellow-tinged skin (jaundice) may indicate bile duct obstruction post-cholecystectomy, a concerning but less urgent complication than absent bowel sounds. It requires evaluation but does not pose an immediate threat like ileus or sepsis, making it a lower priority for intervention.
Choice D reason: A temperature of 99.5°F is a low-grade fever, common post-surgery due to inflammation. It requires monitoring but is not immediately life-threatening compared to absent bowel sounds, which could indicate a surgical emergency like obstruction or peritonitis, necessitating urgent action.
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