A patient with cirrhosis is becoming lethargic and confused. Which of the following labs does the nurse expect the HCP (health care provider) to order?
PT/NR
Urea
Ammonia
Albumin
The Correct Answer is C
A. PT/INR: PT/INR is used to assess clotting function and liver synthetic function but does not directly relate to the symptoms of lethargy and confusion.
B. Urea: Urea levels are related to kidney function and protein metabolism but do not directly explain the symptoms of encephalopathy.
C. Ammonia: Elevated ammonia levels in cirrhosis can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, which presents as lethargy and confusion. The liver is unable to convert ammonia to urea, leading to its accumulation in the blood.
D. Albumin: Albumin levels are important in assessing nutritional status and fluid balance in cirrhosis but do not directly cause lethargy and confusion.
Nursing Test Bank
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Partially compensated Metabolic Alkalosis: This is incorrect because the pH is within normal limits (7.35-7.45), and the elevated PaCO2 and bicarbonate suggest a respiratory issue rather than a metabolic one.
B. Fully compensated Metabolic Acidosis: This is incorrect because the primary disturbance is respiratory, not metabolic. A compensated metabolic acidosis would typically show a low PaCO2 as compensation.
C. Fully compensated Respiratory Acidosis: Correct. The pH is within the normal range, indicating full compensation. The elevated PaCO2 and bicarbonate reflect a chronic respiratory acidosis that has been compensated by the kidneys.
D. Partially compensated Respiratory Alkalosis: This is incorrect because in respiratory alkalosis, the PaCO2 would be low, not high.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hypertension: This is not a cause of high-output heart failure. Hypertension typically leads to low-output heart failure due to increased afterload, which causes the heart to work harder.
B. Severe anemia: Severe anemia causes high-output heart failure because the body compensates for the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing cardiac output.
C. Sepsis: Sepsis can lead to high-output heart failure as the body attempts to maintain perfusion in the face of widespread vasodilation.
D. Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic demands, which can cause high-output heart failure as the heart attempts to meet the increased needs.
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