To determine treatment effectiveness in a patient with pancreatitis, the nurse should monitor which of these tests?

Amylase and lipase.

Hematocrit and hemoglobin.

Red blood cell count.

Serum uric acid.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Monitoring amylase and lipase levels is the best way to determine the effectiveness of treatment in a patient with pancreatitis. These enzymes are produced by the pancreas, and their levels in the blood increase significantly during an episode of pancreatitis. As treatment progresses and the inflammation of the pancreas decreases, the levels of these enzymes should return to normal. Therefore, checking the levels of amylase and lipase is a direct indicator of the patient's response to treatment.

Choice B reason: Hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are important for assessing overall blood volume and oxygen-carrying capacity, but they are not specific indicators of pancreatitis treatment effectiveness. While these levels can provide information about the patient's general health and hydration status, they do not specifically reflect changes in pancreatic inflammation.

Choice C reason: Red blood cell count is another measure of the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and overall health, but like hematocrit and hemoglobin, it is not specific to pancreatitis. Changes in red blood cell count can occur due to various factors, but they do not provide direct information about the effectiveness of pancreatitis treatment.

Choice D reason: Serum uric acid levels are typically monitored in conditions such as gout or kidney stones, and they are not related to pancreatitis. Monitoring serum uric acid would not provide useful information about the patient's response to pancreatitis treatment.

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 A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause the skin, particularly the face, to appear cherry-red. This occurs because carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which gives the skin this distinct color. It is a critical condition that requires immediate intervention as carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, leading to hypoxia and potentially life-threatening complications.

Choice B reason: Smoke inhalation is a common issue in burn victims and can cause respiratory distress, coughing, and airway irritation. However, it does not typically cause the face to turn a cherry-red color. The primary concerns with smoke inhalation are airway obstruction and lung damage rather than changes in skin color.

Choice C reason: Uremic poisoning, or uremia, results from severe kidney dysfunction and the accumulation of waste products in the blood. Symptoms can include fatigue, confusion, and a metallic taste in the mouth, but it does not cause a cherry-red discoloration of the face.

Choice D reason: Acute anemic hypertension is not a recognized medical condition. Anemia can cause pallor or a pale appearance of the skin, while hypertension typically does not cause skin discoloration. Therefore, this choice is not relevant to the described symptoms.

A. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees. B. Administer ordered antibiotics as scheduled. C. Hyperoxygenate the patient before suctioning. D. Suction the airway every 2 hours.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Keeping the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees is crucial in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Elevating the head of the bed reduces the risk of aspiration of gastric contents and oral secretions into the lungs, which can lead to infection. This positioning helps improve lung expansion and facilitates drainage, thereby decreasing the likelihood of VAP.

Choice B reason: Administering ordered antibiotics as scheduled is important for treating existing infections but is not a primary preventive measure for ventilator-associated pneumonia. While antibiotics play a role in managing infections, the focus here is on preventive strategies. Overreliance on antibiotics can also lead to antibiotic resistance, making infection control more challenging.

Choice C reason: Hyperoxygenating the patient before suctioning is a standard practice to prevent hypoxia during the procedure, but it is not directly related to preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. While hyperoxygenation helps maintain adequate oxygen levels, it does not address the specific risk factors associated with the development of VAP.

Choice D reason: Suctioning the airway every 2 hours may be necessary for some patients to maintain airway patency and remove secretions. However, routine suctioning at fixed intervals is not always appropriate and can increase the risk of trauma to the airway and infection. Suctioning should be performed based on clinical assessment and the patient's needs rather than a fixed schedule to prevent complications and potential infections.

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

To determine treatment effectiveness in a patient with pancreatitis, the nurse should monitor which of these tests?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in the emergency room is performing an assessment on a burn victim. She notes his face is a cherry-red color and suspects which of the following problems?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient with emphysema and respiratory failure who is receiving mechanical ventilation through an endotracheal tube. To prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which action is most important to include in the plan of care?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving the ACE inhibitor lisinopril. Which of the following outcomes should the nurse anticipate?

Following paracentesis, during which 2500 mL of fluid was removed, which assessment finding is most important to communicate to the healthcare provider (HCP)?

A nurse applies a painful stimulus to the nailbeds of an unconscious patient. The patient responds with the extension of the arms and legs, pronation of the arms, and plantar flexion. The nurse documents this as:

The client is receiving IV doses of Vancomycin every 12 hours. Which would be the nurse's priority to monitor for complications during the period that the patient is receiving this drug?

A nurse cares for a patient who has burn injuries. The patient's wife asks, "When will his high risk for infection decrease?" How would the nurse respond?

A patient who is in hypovolemic shock has the following clinical signs: BP 80/55 mmHg, heart rate 120 beats/min, and urine output of 20 mL/hr. After administering an IV fluid bolus, which of these signs is the best indication of improved perfusion?

A nurse is caring for a client who reports a new onset of severe chest pain. Which of the following cues should the nurse assess to determine if the client is experiencing a myocardial infarction? Pick 2 answers.

The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated spinal cord injury patient in the ICU. To avoid the complication of autonomic dysreflexia, the nurse plans to implement the following orders: Select all that apply.