The nurse is caring for a client with decompensated liver disease who is experiencing fever, chills, and abdominal tenderness.

Following a paracentesis, the nurse receives laboratory results of the ascitic fluid that show the polymorphonuclear leukocyte count is 425/mm (0.42 x 10/L). After notifying the healthcare provider, what action should the nurse take next?

Review serum protein levels

Begin abdominal girth measurements

Initiate antibiotic therapy

Assess neurological status

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
Reviewing serum protein levels can provide valuable information about a client’s nutritional status and liver function. However, in the context of a client with decompensated liver disease who is experiencing fever, chills, and abdominal tenderness, and has a high polymorphonuclear leukocyte count in ascitic fluid, initiating antibiotic therapy is the priority.
Choice B rationale
Beginning abdominal girth measurements can be useful for monitoring the progression of ascites in a client with liver disease. However, in this scenario, the priority is to treat the potential infection indicated by the client’s symptoms and lab results.
Choice C rationale

Initiating antibiotic therapy is the correct intervention in this case. The client’s symptoms and the high polymorphonuclear leukocyte count in the ascitic fluid suggest spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a serious complication of cirrhosis that requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
Choice D rationale
Assessing neurological status is important in clients with liver disease, as they are at risk for hepatic encephalopathy. However, in this scenario, the priority is to treat the potential infection indicated by the client’s symptoms and lab results.

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 C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While seizure precautions are important for clients receiving certain medications or with certain conditions, they are not typically necessary for clients receiving dopamine. Dopamine, an adrenergic agonist, does not typically increase the risk of seizures.

Choice B rationale

Assessing pupillary response to light hourly is not typically necessary for clients receiving dopamine. Dopamine does not typically affect pupillary response.

Choice C rationale

Measuring urinary output every hour is an important intervention for a client receiving dopamine. Dopamine at low to moderate doses can dilate renal blood vessels, which can increase urine output. Therefore, monitoring urinary output can help assess the effectiveness of the medication and the client’s renal perfusion.

Choice D rationale

While it is important to monitor electrolyte levels in clients receiving certain medications, frequent monitoring of serum potassium is not typically necessary for clients receiving dopamine. Dopamine does not typically affect serum potassium levels.

A. Mix the dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL. B. Dilute the dextrose in one liter of 0.9% normal saline solution. C. Request the pharmacist to add the dextrose to a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution. D. Administer the undiluted dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV. .

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Mixing the dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL is not the appropriate method for administering the medication. This would dilute the dextrose, reducing its concentration and potentially making it less effective.
Choice B rationale
Diluting the dextrose in one liter of 0.9% normal saline solution is not the appropriate method for administering the medication. This would significantly dilute the dextrose, reducing its concentration and potentially making it less effective.
Choice C rationale
Requesting the pharmacist to add the dextrose to a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution is not the appropriate method for administering the medication. While dextrose is often a component of TPN solutions, in this case, the patient requires a concentrated dose of dextrose to treat insulin shock.

Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Administering the undiluted dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV is the appropriate method for administering the medication. This allows for the rapid administration of a concentrated dose of glucose, which is necessary to quickly raise the patient’s blood glucose level in the case of insulin shock.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who is hypotensive is receiving dopamine, an adrenergic agonist, intravenously (IV) at the rate of 8 mg/kg/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement while administering this medication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% dextrose IV for a patient with insulin shock. What is the appropriate method for administering the medication?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A mother rushes into the emergency department carrying her toddler who has been exposed to some cleaning products. The child has a chemical smell on their hands, face, and clothes. After ensuring the airway is patent, which action should the nurse take first?

The nurse is providing postoperative care for an adolescent who underwent a left leg amputation due to osteosarcoma. The adolescent reports experiencing phantom limb pain. Which non-pharmacological intervention should the nurse provide?

The nurse is planning to teach infant care and preventive measures for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) to a group of new parents. Which information is most important for the nurse to include?

In the context of caring for a client diagnosed with psoriasis, which action by the nurse would address the client’s psychosocial need for acceptance?

Restricted activity is prescribed for a client with Crohn’s disease. What is the primary purpose of the activity restriction?

The nurse instructs an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to turn an immobilized older client with an indwelling urinary catheter every two hours. Which additional action should the nurse instruct the UAP to take each time the client is turned?

A client on the mental health unit has been displaying signs of agitation, such as scowling and pacing rapidly up and down the hallway for several minutes. Which behaviors should the nurse prioritize for monitoring?

A nurse in the emergency department is collecting evidence for a rape kit from a woman who reports that she was raped while returning to her dormitory from the university library. Which intervention is most crucial for the nurse to implement?