A client with suspected liver cirrhosis undergoes a liver biopsy. Which nursing action is essential following the procedure?

Encouraging the client to lie on the right side.

Administering pain medication as needed.

Monitoring vital signs every 4 hours.

Instructing the client to maintain a supine position for 12 hours.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Encouraging the client to lie on the right side after a liver biopsy is essential because this position helps to apply pressure to the biopsy site, reducing the risk of bleeding.
B. While administering pain medication may be necessary, it is not the primary nursing action following a liver biopsy compared to ensuring hemostasis and preventing complications.
C. Monitoring vital signs is important, but in this case, vital signs should be checked more frequently than every 4 hours to assess for complications like bleeding. Initial monitoring is typically every 15 minutes for the first hour and then every 30 minutes to hourly based on facility protocols.
D. Although maintaining a supine position is typically advised, the focus should be on the right side position to ensure proper hemostasis following the biopsy procedure.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) While MRI is also used to assess the liver, it may not be the first-line imaging modality for assessing the size and structure of the liver in clients with cirrhosis.

B) PET scans are mainly used to evaluate cellular metabolism and tissue function, including cancerous cells. While it can be helpful in detecting liver tumors, it may not be the primary choice for assessing liver size and structure in cirrhosis.

C) Computed tomography (CT) scan is commonly used to assess the liver's size, shape, and structure in clients with liver cirrhosis. CT provides detailed cross-sectional images of the liver, helping to identify any abnormalities, including liver nodules, fibrosis, and signs of portal hypertension.

D) An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test used to record electrical activity in the brain. It is not used to assess the liver's size, shape, or structure in clients with liver cirrhosis.

A. Hepatocellular carcinoma B. Portal hypertension C. Hepatic encephalopathy D. Hepatopulmonary syndrome

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer and can be a complication of liver cirrhosis. However, it is not typically associated with difficulty sleeping or shortness of breath.

B) Portal hypertension, a common complication of liver cirrhosis, can lead to the development of ascites and esophageal varices, among other manifestations. It is not the likely cause of the client's difficulty sleeping and shortness of breath.

C) Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of advanced liver disease and is not associated with difficulty sleeping or shortness of breath.

D) Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a complication of liver cirrhosis characterized by the development of pulmonary vascular dilation and arteriovenous shunting. This results in impaired oxygenation of blood, leading to difficulty breathing (dyspnea), especially while lying down (orthopnea). Clients with hepatopulmonary syndrome often experience frequent awakenings due to shortness of breath during sleep.

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A client with suspected liver cirrhosis undergoes a liver biopsy. Which nursing action is essential following the procedure?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with suspected liver cirrhosis is scheduled for a diagnostic imaging test. Which imaging modality is commonly used to assess the liver's size, shape, and structure in clients with cirrhosis?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with liver cirrhosis complains of difficulty sleeping at night due to frequent awakenings caused by shortness of breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect as the most likely cause of the client's symptom?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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