After traveling to a country with a tropical climate, a young adult is diagnosed with a liver abscess and is taking antimicrobial therapy as an outpatient.
During a follow-up visit at the community clinic, the nurse observes that the patient has developed jaundice.
Which action should the nurse take?
Prepare the patient for repeat blood cultures.
Arrange emergency transport to an inpatient facility.
Explain the need to evaluate liver function.
Instruct the patient to increase protein intake.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
While repeat blood cultures could potentially provide useful information, they are not the immediate priority when a patient develops jaundice. Jaundice is a sign of liver dysfunction, and further evaluation of liver function is needed to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Choice B rationale
Arranging emergency transport to an inpatient facility may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the immediate action required in this situation. The development of jaundice indicates a need for further evaluation, but it does not necessarily indicate an emergency situation.
Choice C rationale
Explaining the need to evaluate liver function is the most appropriate action in this situation. Jaundice is a sign of liver dysfunction, and further evaluation of liver function is needed to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Choice D rationale
While increasing protein intake can be beneficial for some patients with liver disease, it is not the immediate priority in this situation. The development of jaundice indicates a need for further evaluation of liver function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Determining the amount of weight the patient has lost since increasing activity is relevant to the patient’s overall health and progress toward weight loss goals, but it does not directly address the issue of sleep difficulties. Weight loss and improved sleep may not always have a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Choice B rationale
Inquiring about the patient’s exercise schedule is a reasonable action. It allows the nurse to gather information about the patient’s exercise routine and assess whether it might be contributing to the sleep difficulties. For instance, exercising too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep. Therefore, understanding the timing and intensity of the patient’s exercise can provide valuable insights into potential adjustments that could improve sleep quality.
Choice C rationale
Informing the patient that lifestyle changes often take several weeks to be effective is a general statement that might not address the specific concerns of the patient. While it’s true that lifestyle changes, including exercise, can take time to show results, this does not provide a targeted solution to the patient’s reported difficulty in falling asleep.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging the patient to exercise daily to reduce bedtime wakefulness is not appropriate advice in this scenario. It oversimplifies the issue and may not address the underlying causes of the patient’s sleep difficulties. Additionally, excessive exercise close to bedtime may actually interfere with sleep.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Keeping the head of the bed raised 45 degrees is a common practice in intensive care units to prevent aspiration pneumonia. However, in the context of septic shock, this intervention is not the highest priority.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the warmth of the extremities can provide information about peripheral perfusion. Cold extremities may indicate poor perfusion, a common symptom in septic shock. However, this is not the most critical intervention in the management of septic shock.
Choice C rationale
Maintaining strict intake and output records is crucial in the management of septic shock. Fluid balance is a key component of sepsis management. Monitoring fluid balance helps ensure that the patient is adequately hydrated, which is essential for maintaining blood pressure and organ perfusion.
Choice D rationale
Monitoring the patient’s blood glucose level is important, especially if the patient is receiving insulin or has a history of diabetes. However, in the context of septic shock, this is not the highest priority.
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