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

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

No explanation

A. The patient urinates only once or twice a day. B. The patient gained 10 lb (4.5 kg) within a month. C. The patient refuses to eat their favorite meals at home. D. The patient has been drinking more fluids than usual.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Urinating only once or twice a day is not a typical symptom of type I diabetes mellitus. In fact, frequent urination is a common symptom of diabetes.
Choice B rationale
Rapid weight gain is not typically associated with type I diabetes mellitus. On the contrary, unexplained weight loss is a common symptom.
Choice C rationale
Refusing to eat favorite meals is not a typical symptom of type I diabetes mellitus. Changes in appetite can occur in various conditions, but they are not specific to diabetes.
Choice D rationale
Drinking more fluids than usual, also known as polydipsia, is a common symptom of type I diabetes mellitus. This is often accompanied by polyuria (frequent urination) due to high blood sugar levels.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Mark whether the statements by the new graduate nurse indicate understanding or no understanding of the use of the face mask in the care of this client.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

A school-aged patient was recently diagnosed with type I diabetes mellitus. What symptom did the patient’s parents most likely report?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

What intervention(s) should the nurse initiate if elder mistreatment is suspected? Select all that apply.

An intravenous (IV) antibiotic is prescribed for a patient with a postoperative infection. The medication is to be administered in 4 divided doses. Which schedule is best for administering this prescription?

The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) preparing to provide personal care for a patient who requires contact precautions. The UAP has put on a gown and gloves and has secured the tops of the gloves over the gown sleeves. What action should the nurse take?

The patient provides three positive responses to items on the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) query. What interpretation should the nurse provide to the patient?

The nurse is monitoring a patient with Cushing’s disease in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) following a hypophysectomy. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the patient’s plan of care?

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client’s right hand and fingers spasm when taking the blood pressure using the same arm. After confirming the presence of the spasms, which action should the nurse take?