A patient with liver failure has been admitted with hepatic encephalopathy and is prescribed lactulose every 2 hours. The patient is currently oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 0700.

The 1400 dose of lactulose is due.

What should be the nurse’s next course of action?

No action is required as this is the desired therapeutic effect.

Withhold the dose and contact the doctor for daily stool count parameters.

Administer the medication since diarrhea is a common side effect.

Remove fall precautions due to changes in mental status.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Lactulose is used to treat hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that affects patients with liver failure. It works by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the gut. Having loose, watery stools is a desired therapeutic effect of lactulose. Therefore, no action is required if the patient is oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 07007.
Choice B rationale
Withholding the dose and contacting the doctor for daily stool count parameters is not necessary in this situation. The patient is currently oriented, which suggests that the lactulose is effectively managing their hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice C rationale
Administering the medication because diarrhea is a common side effect is not the correct course of action. The presence of loose, watery stools is not merely a side effect, but a desired therapeutic effect of lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice D rationale
Removing fall precautions due to changes in mental status is not necessary in this situation. The patient is currently oriented, which suggests that the lactulose is effectively managing their hepatic encephalopathy.

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 D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
It is not advisable for a patient to discontinue radioactive iodine therapy at any time if they feel uncomfortable. Radioactive iodine therapy is a safe and effective treatment for certain types of thyroid cancer. Discontinuing the medication without medical advice could lead to ineffective treatment.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the consumption of iodine-rich foods is not necessary when a patient is prescribed radioactive iodine. The body’s thyroid cells absorb the radioactive iodine, which then destroys the cells. Consuming additional iodine would not enhance this process.
Choice C rationale
Using a straw to drink the medication is not necessary. Radioactive iodine is usually given in pill form, not as a liquid. Therefore, there is no risk of it staining the patient’s teeth.
Choice D rationale
This statement is correct. After a total thyroidectomy, the patient will no longer have thyroid tissue that can produce thyroid hormones. Therefore, the radioactive iodine will not eliminate the need for thyroid hormone replacement.

A. Long-term use of these drugs can lead to hypermagnesemia. B. Long-term use may contribute to osteoporosis. C. Proton pump inhibitors can cause diarrhea. D. Proton pump inhibitors cause drowsiness.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Hypermagnesemia, or high levels of magnesium in the blood, is not a common side effect of proton pump inhibitors. These medications do not contain magnesium and do not cause the body to produce more magnesium.
Choice B rationale
Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may contribute to osteoporosis. Some studies have suggested that these medications can interfere with calcium absorption, potentially leading to bone loss and an increased risk of fractures.
Choice C rationale
While some people may experience diarrhea as a side effect of proton pump inhibitors, it is not one of the most common side effects.
Choice D rationale
Drowsiness is not a typical side effect of proton pump inhibitors. These medications work by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach, but they do not typically affect alertness or energy levels.

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 patient with liver failure has been admitted with hepatic encephalopathy and is prescribed lactulose every 2 hours. The patient is currently oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 0700. The 1400 dose of lactulose is due. What should be the nurse’s next course of action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient has been prescribed radioactive iodine in preparation for a total thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. What advice about taking the medication should the nurse provide?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is teaching a patient who will be taking a proton pump inhibitor as long-term therapy about potential side effects. Which statement should the nurse include in the education to the patient?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client comes to the clinic and reports that they stopped taking their prescribed steroids early because they felt much better. What side effect should the nurse anticipate in this client?

A client is prescribed 8mg of ondansetron IV to manage the side effects of chemotherapy, specifically nausea and vomiting. When is the optimal time for the nurse to administer this medication?

A patient is prescribed oral prednisone for an exacerbation of an autoimmune disease. Which finding in the patient’s past medical history would contraindicate the use of prednisone?

A patient is scheduled for surgery this morning and the nurse is administering the morning medications. Which scheduled morning medication should the nurse withhold and not administer on the morning of surgery?

A patient with liver failure has been admitted with hepatic encephalopathy and is prescribed lactulose every 2 hours. The patient is currently oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 0700. The 1400 dose of lactulose is due. What should be the nurse’s next course of action?

The nurse has provided education to a patient with diabetes who is starting on insulin injections. The nurse asks the patient, “What should you do if your fasting blood glucose is 57 mg/dL?” Which response by the patient would indicate an understanding of the education provided?

A client is prescribed calcium carbonate for GERD. After reviewing the client’s chart, which potential risk does the nurse identify for the client?

A patient is currently receiving chemotherapy and is experiencing nausea and vomiting. What should the nurse teach the patient to help reduce the nausea and vomiting?

A patient with liver failure has been admitted with hepatic encephalopathy and is prescribed lactulose every 2 hours. The patient is currently oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 0700.

The 1400 dose of lactulose is due.

What should be the nurse’s next course of action?