A patient with ascites has been admitted to your unit. Which of the following safety precautions should you reinforce to prevent complications?
Instruct the patient to change positions slowly prevent dizziness and falls.
Advise the patient to avoid all physical activity to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.
Encourage the patient to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Recommend wearing tight clothing to support the abdominal area.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Instruct the patient to change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls. Ascites can cause a shift in fluid balance, leading to orthostatic hypotension. Changing positions slowly reduces the risk of dizziness and falls, which are common in patients with fluid shifts.
B. Advise the patient to avoid all physical activity to prevent exacerbation of symptoms: Complete avoidance of physical activity is not recommended. Mild activity may help with overall health and mobility unless contraindicated. Bedrest is typically only recommended for acute or severe cases.
C. Encourage the patient to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration: Patients with ascites are often on fluid restrictions to manage excess fluid accumulation. Encouraging excess fluid intake can worsen the condition.
D. Recommend wearing tight clothing to support the abdominal area: Tight clothing could cause discomfort and increase abdominal pressure, which could exacerbate symptoms or complications related to ascites.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Administer IV fluids: The patient is hypotensive (blood pressure 88/54 mmHg) and tachycardic (heart rate 115 bpm), indicating possible hypovolemic shock due to blood loss. Administering IV fluids will help to stabilize blood pressure.
B. Prepare for possible blood transfusion: The patient's hemoglobin level is critically low (6.5 g/dL), indicating significant blood loss and severe anemia. Preparing for a blood transfusion is crucial to correct the anemia.
C. Monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit levels: Continuous monitoring of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels is vital to assess the severity of the patient's anemia and response to treatment, guiding further interventions.
D. Administer a proton pump inhibitor (PPI): PPIs can help reduce gastric acid secretion, which may help control bleeding from peptic ulcers, a common cause of upper GI bleeding.
E. Administer oral iron supplements to address anemia: Oral iron supplements are typically used for long-term management of iron deficiency anemia but are not effective for immediate correction of severe anemia, particularly in an acute setting with ongoing blood loss.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. I should avoid alcohol completely to prevent another episode of pancreatitis: This is correct advice, as alcohol is a common cause of pancreatitis and should be avoided.
B. I can resume my high-fat diet once my symptoms improve. A high-fat diet can trigger another episode of pancreatitis, as fat stimulates pancreatic enzymes that can exacerbate the condition. The patient should follow a low-fat diet.
C. I should take my prescribed medications as directed to manage my symptoms: This statement is appropriate and reflects adherence to the treatment plan.
D. I need to follow up with my healthcare provider regularly to monitor my condition: This is also correct, as regular monitoring is essential to managing pancreatitis.
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