The healthcare provider prescribes lactulose for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy. What will the nurse assess to determine the effectiveness of this medication?

Decreased ammonia levels

Relief of constipation

Decreased liver enzymes

Relief of abdominal pain

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:Lactulose is used in hepatic encephalopathy primarily to lower blood ammonia levels. It works by converting ammonia in the intestines into ammonium, which is then excreted³. Therefore, a decrease in ammonia levels would indicate the effectiveness of the medication.

Choice B reason:While lactulose can relieve constipation due to its laxative effect, relief of constipation is not the primary indicator of its effectiveness in treating hepatic encephalopathy³.

Choice C reason:Decreased liver enzymes are not a direct measure of lactulose's effectiveness in hepatic encephalopathy. Liver enzymes are indicators of liver function, not ammonia levels³.

Choice D reason:Relief of abdominal pain is not a specific indicator of lactulose's effectiveness in hepatic encephalopathy. The medication's primary role is to reduce ammonia levels, not to alleviate pain³.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:Taping the connections on the client's chest tube is essential to maintain a closed system and prevent air leaks, which could lead to a pneumothorax.

Choice B reason:Positioning the client in a supine position is not recommended as it may not facilitate optimal drainage from the pleural space.

Choice C reason:Stripping the chest tube, which involves applying pressure and sliding the fingers down the tube to remove clots, is not routinely recommended as it can generate high negative pressures and damage lung tissue.

Choice D reason: The chest tube drainage system should be placed below the level of the client's heart to allow for gravity drainage of pleural fluid and air.

A. pH 7.25, HCO3- 19 mEq/L, PaCO2 30 mm Hg B. pH 7.50, HCO3- 20 mEq/L, PaCO2 32 mm Hg C. pH 7.55, HCO3- 30 mEq/L, PaCO2 31 mm Hg D. pH 7.30, HCO3- 26 mEq/L, PaCO2 50 mm Hg

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason:

This set of values indicates metabolic acidosis, which is common in chronic kidney disease due to the accumulation of acids in the body as the kidneys fail to eliminate them effectively³.

Choice B reason:

A pH of 7.50 is considered alkalotic, and while HCO3- and PaCO2 are within normal ranges, this set of values does not typically represent chronic kidney disease.

Choice C reason:

A pH of 7.55 is also alkalotic, and an HCO3- of 30 mEq/L indicates metabolic alkalosis, which is not characteristic of chronic kidney disease.

Choice D reason:

While a pH of 7.30 is on the lower end of the normal range, an HCO3- of 26 mEq/L is within the normal range, and a PaCO2 of 50 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis, not typically seen in chronic kidney disease without concurrent respiratory issues.

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The healthcare provider prescribes lactulose for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy. What will the nurse assess to determine the effectiveness of this medication?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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