The nurse should evaluate results of which laboratory tests while caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver? Select all that apply.

Prothrombin time (PT)

Serum albumin

Serum ammonia

Troponin

Serum lipase

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B,C

A)   PT is prolonged in cirrhosis due to impaired synthesis of clotting factors by the liver, making it important to monitor for bleeding risk.
B)   Serum albumin levels decrease in cirrhosis due to impaired liver function, reflecting the client's nutritional status and liver synthetic function.
C)   Elevated serum ammonia levels can indicate hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of cirrhosis characterized by altered mental status.
D)   Troponin is not typically evaluated in cirrhosis assessment; it is a cardiac marker used to assess for myocardial infarction.
E)   Serum lipase is not typically evaluated in cirrhosis assessment; it is a pancreatic enzyme used to diagnose pancreatitis.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Cirrhosis can lead to coagulopathy due to impaired synthesis of clotting factors by the liver, putting the client at high risk for bleeding.

B) While clients with cirrhosis may experience fatigue, it is not the priority problem indicated by the assessment data provided.
C) Decreased appetite and jaundice may affect nutritional status, but they do not pose an immediate threat compared to the risk of bleeding.
D) Jaundice can lead to pruritus and increased risk of skin breakdown, but it is not the priority problem indicated by the assessment data provided.

A. Breath with fecal odor B. Increasing confusion C. Serum ammonia level 72 mcg/dL (15-45 mcg/dL) D. Diarrhea

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Breath with fecal odor could indicate hepatic encephalopathy, for which lactulose is indicated.
B) Increasing confusion is a symptom of hepatic encephalopathy suggests a need for lactulose.
C) Elevated ammonia levels indicate hepatic encephalopathy hence the need for lactulose.
D) If the client already has diarrhea, additional doses of lactulose (which acts as a laxative) could exacerbate this condition and might need to be adjusted or halted based on clinical judgment.

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The nurse should evaluate results of which laboratory tests while caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver? Select all that apply.

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with cirrhosis has the following current assessment data: jaundice, decreased appetite, hemoglobin 15 g/dL (14-18 g/dL) and PT of 20.6 seconds (11-12.5 sec). What does the nurse identify as the priority problem for this client?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client with cirrhosis is scheduled to receive a third dose of lactulose (Cephulac) at 1800. Which current finding would cause the nurse to question administering this medication?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a client who has had a paracentesis. What information should be included in the education session?

The nurse is preparing a client presentation regarding pancrelipase (Viokase) therapy. Which information would the nurse include in the teaching session?

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic pancreatitis who exhibits signs of malabsorption. The nurse recognizes that this is due to which pathophysiology process?

The nurse is collecting a health history of a client admitted for possible acute pancreatitis. Which health history item would increase the client's risk for this diagnosis?

When planning care for a client receiving an enteral feeding via jejunostomy tube, which intervention would the nurse include?

A client with cirrhosis has the following laboratory results: albumin 4.9 g/dl. (3.5-5 g/dL), PT 13 seconds (11-12.5 sec), and serum ammonia 68 mcg/dL (15-45 mcg/dL). Based on this information, what is the nurse's next action?

The client with cirrhosis is at risk for developing complications. Which condition is the most serious and potentially life-threatening?