A nurse is collecting data from a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?
Clay-colored stools
Confusion
Spider angiomas
Jaundice
The Correct Answer is B
A. Clay-colored stools: Clay-colored stools indicate a lack of bile flow due to liver dysfunction, which is expected in cirrhosis. While concerning, it is not the most urgent finding compared to signs indicating acute neurological compromise.
B. Confusion: Confusion suggests hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of cirrhosis resulting from the buildup of toxins like ammonia in the bloodstream. It indicates potential cerebral impairment and requires immediate provider notification and intervention to prevent progression to coma.
C. Spider angiomas: Spider angiomas are small, dilated blood vessels visible on the skin, commonly seen in cirrhosis due to hormonal changes and altered vascular dynamics. They are a chronic sign of liver disease and do not represent an immediate threat.
D. Jaundice: Jaundice results from elevated bilirubin levels due to impaired liver function. While jaundice signals worsening liver disease, it develops gradually and is less immediately life-threatening than the onset of neurological symptoms like confusion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Place the client on bedrest: While limiting the client’s activity is important to reduce oxygen demand, it is not the first priority. Immediate actions should focus on improving oxygenation and reducing respiratory distress.
B. Obtain the client's ABG levels: Although obtaining arterial blood gases provides valuable information about oxygenation and acid-base balance, it does not address the immediate need to relieve the client's breathing difficulty and hypoxia.
C. Elevate the head of the client's bed: Elevating the head of the bed promotes lung expansion and improves oxygenation, making it the first action to reduce dyspnea and ease the client’s breathing. It is a simple, quick intervention that can stabilize the client while further assessments are conducted.
D. Prepare the client for a ventilation-perfusion scan: A V/Q scan may be indicated to diagnose conditions like pulmonary embolism, but it is a diagnostic step that follows stabilization. Immediate efforts must first focus on ensuring adequate oxygenation and respiratory support.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Perfectionistic: Perfectionism is more characteristic of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, where individuals are overly focused on order, control, and achieving flawless standards. Clients with dependent personality disorder are more focused on relying on others for decision-making rather than striving for perfection.
B. Reclusive: Being reclusive, or socially withdrawn, is a common feature of avoidant personality disorder, not dependent personality disorder. Clients with dependent personality disorder typically seek out and maintain close relationships because they have an intense fear of being alone and unable to care for themselves.
C. Impulsive: Impulsivity is commonly associated with borderline personality disorder, where individuals act without considering consequences. Clients with dependent personality disorder tend to be cautious and overly reliant on others for guidance and approval, rather than acting impulsively on their own.
D. Submissive: Submissiveness is a hallmark of dependent personality disorder. Clients demonstrate extreme dependency on others for emotional and decision-making support, often avoiding disagreement and putting others' needs above their own to maintain relationships and avoid abandonment.
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