Lactulose is ordered for a patient with liver disease. What would indicate the medication is exerting a positive therapeutic effect on the patient?
Decreased ascites
Decreased ammonia level
Decreased jaundice
Decreased blood pressure,
The Correct Answer is B
A. Decreased ascites
Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) is more directly related to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. While lactulose may contribute to fluid balance, its primary therapeutic effect in hepatic encephalopathy is the reduction of ammonia levels.
B. Decreased ammonia level
Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with liver disease. The therapeutic effect of lactulose in this context is to reduce blood ammonia levels. Lactulose works by promoting the excretion of ammonia in the form of ammonium ions in the colon, thereby lowering ammonia concentrations in the blood.
C. Decreased jaundice
Jaundice is often associated with liver dysfunction, but lactulose is not primarily used to address jaundice. Its primary role in liver disease is in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.
D. Decreased blood pressure
Blood pressure is not a direct therapeutic target of lactulose in the context of liver disease. Lactulose's primary therapeutic effect is related to reducing ammonia levels and managing hepatic encephalopathy.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["2.5"]
Explanation
To calculate the amount of solution needed for each dose, we need to use the formula:
Amount of solution (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
Plugging in the given values, we get:
Amount of solution (mL) = 50 mg / 20 mg/mL
Simplifying, we get:
Amount of solution (mL) = 2.5 mL
Therefore, the nurse must administer 2.5 mL of the solution for each dose.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Blood cultures will need to be drawn.
Blood cultures are not typically used for diagnosing H. pylori infection. Instead, specific blood tests, such as serology or antibody tests, may be employed to detect antibodies against H. pylori.
B. A biopsy of the stomach will be done.
While a biopsy may be taken during an upper endoscopy to examine the stomach lining for ulcers and H. pylori infection, it is not the primary method for detecting the presence of H. pylori. The biopsy may be used for confirming the infection and assessing the severity of damage.
C. A breath test will be performed.
This is the correct choice. The breath test is a common and non-invasive method used to detect the presence of H. pylori. The patient drinks a solution containing a substance that H. pylori can break down, and the detection of carbon dioxide in the patient's breath indicates the presence of the bacteria.
D. Computerized scanning will identify if H. pylori is present.
Computerized scanning, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, is not a primary method for detecting H. pylori. Imaging studies are not typically used for H. pylori diagnosis, and the methods mentioned earlier, like breath tests and endoscopy, are more commonly employed.
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