A patient with ascites has been admitted to your unit. Which of the following safety precautions should you reinforce to prevent complications?
Instruct the patient to change positions slowly prevent dizziness and falls.
Advise the patient to avoid all physical activity to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.
Encourage the patient to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Recommend wearing tight clothing to support the abdominal area.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Instruct the patient to change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls. Ascites can cause a shift in fluid balance, leading to orthostatic hypotension. Changing positions slowly reduces the risk of dizziness and falls, which are common in patients with fluid shifts.
B. Advise the patient to avoid all physical activity to prevent exacerbation of symptoms: Complete avoidance of physical activity is not recommended. Mild activity may help with overall health and mobility unless contraindicated. Bedrest is typically only recommended for acute or severe cases.
C. Encourage the patient to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration: Patients with ascites are often on fluid restrictions to manage excess fluid accumulation. Encouraging excess fluid intake can worsen the condition.
D. Recommend wearing tight clothing to support the abdominal area: Tight clothing could cause discomfort and increase abdominal pressure, which could exacerbate symptoms or complications related to ascites.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Administer intravenous antibiotics and observe the patient for 24 hours: IV antibiotics may be given preoperatively, but observation without surgery is not the standard treatment for confirmed appendicitis due to the risk of rupture.
B. Provide the patient with oral pain medications and discharge them with a follow-up appointment: Oral pain medications are not appropriate as the patient needs surgical intervention. Discharging the patient without surgery could result in life-threatening complications.
C. Recommend a liquid diet and bed rest to reduce inflammation: A liquid diet and bed rest will not address the underlying issue of appendicitis, which requires surgical removal of the inflamed appendix.
D. Prepare the patient for an appendectomy. The standard treatment for acute appendicitis is an appendectomy. Delaying surgery can lead to complications such as perforation, peritonitis, or abscess formation. This is the most appropriate intervention.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Flush the T-tube with sterile water every 6 hours to maintain patency: T-tubes are generally not flushed unless prescribed by a healthcare provider because flushing can introduce bacteria and cause complications. Patency is typically maintained by gravity drainage alone.
B. Clamp the T-tube for 12 hours each day to reduce bile flow: Clamping the T-tube is not routinely recommended for such long periods unless directed by the healthcare provider. Clamping is usually done gradually, often for 1-2 hours, to assess the patient’s ability to tolerate bile drainage naturally before tube removal.
C. Secure the T-tube to the patient's gown to prevent accidental dislodgement: While securing the T-tube prevents accidental dislodgement, the tube should be taped to the skin rather than the gown, as attaching it to clothing can increase the risk of unintentional dislodgement with movement.
D. Maintain the drainage bag below the level of the abdomen to promote gravity drainage. This is the correct answer because positioning the drainage bag below the abdomen allows for gravity to assist in the flow of bile from the bile duct, preventing backup and promoting proper drainage.
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