Lactulose is ordered for a patient with liver disease. What would indicate the medication is exerting a positive therapeutic effect on the patient?
Decreased ascites
Decreased ammonia level
Decreased jaundice
Decreased blood pressure,
The Correct Answer is B
A. Decreased ascites
Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) is more directly related to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. While lactulose may contribute to fluid balance, its primary therapeutic effect in hepatic encephalopathy is the reduction of ammonia levels.
B. Decreased ammonia level
Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with liver disease. The therapeutic effect of lactulose in this context is to reduce blood ammonia levels. Lactulose works by promoting the excretion of ammonia in the form of ammonium ions in the colon, thereby lowering ammonia concentrations in the blood.
C. Decreased jaundice
Jaundice is often associated with liver dysfunction, but lactulose is not primarily used to address jaundice. Its primary role in liver disease is in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.
D. Decreased blood pressure
Blood pressure is not a direct therapeutic target of lactulose in the context of liver disease. Lactulose's primary therapeutic effect is related to reducing ammonia levels and managing hepatic encephalopathy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
To calculate the dose of fluconazole for a child who weighs 44 pounds, you need to convert the weight to kilograms and the dose to milligrams.
One kilogram is equal to 2.2 pounds, so 44 pounds is 44 / 2.2 = 20 kilograms.
The dose of fluconazole is 5 mg/kg, so 5 mg x 20 kg = 100 mg.
The label on the bottle says that each tablet contains 50 mg of fluconazole, so you need to divide the dose by the tablet strength to get the number of tablets. 100 mg / 50 mg = 2 tablets.
Therefore, you should administer two tablets of fluconazole once a day for this child.
Correct Answer is ["75"]
Explanation
To calculate the rate of IV infusion, the nurse should divide the volume of fluid by the time in hours.
In this case, 750 mL divided by 10 hours equals 75 mL per hour.
Therefore, the nurse should program the IV infusion pump for 75 mL per hour.
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