The nurse is assessing a client with suspected hepatitis. Which finding is most indicative of this condition?
Anorexia
Clay-colored stools
Brown, foamy urine
Hematemesis
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Anorexia is common in hepatitis due to systemic inflammation but is nonspecific, occurring in many conditions. Clay-colored stools directly indicate impaired bile excretion from liver dysfunction, a hallmark of hepatitis, making it a more diagnostic finding.
Choice B reason: Clay-colored stools are highly indicative of hepatitis, as liver inflammation impairs bile production or excretion, reducing bilirubin in feces. This causes pale stools, reflecting hepatic dysfunction, making it a key finding to confirm hepatitis over nonspecific symptoms like anorexia.
Choice C reason: Brown, foamy urine is not typical of hepatitis. Dark urine from bilirubinuria may occur, but foamy urine suggests proteinuria, unrelated to liver dysfunction. Clay-colored stools are more specific, indicating bile flow obstruction, a direct sign of hepatitis pathology.
Choice D reason: Hematemesis indicates gastrointestinal bleeding, not a primary hepatitis feature. While advanced liver disease may cause variceal bleeding, clay-colored stools are an earlier, more specific sign of hepatitis-related bile impairment, making them the priority finding in acute cases.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Warm compresses reduce morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles around inflamed joints. This alleviates synovial inflammation, improving mobility and comfort, making it a key nonpharmacologic intervention to manage early daily symptoms effectively.
Choice B reason: Restricting physical activity worsens stiffness and joint deformity in rheumatoid arthritis. Warm compresses are prioritized, as they directly reduce synovial inflammation and improve mobility, enabling gentle exercise, making complete activity restriction counterproductive to joint health and function.
Choice C reason: High-dose corticosteroids are reserved for severe rheumatoid arthritis flares, not routine morning stiffness. Warm compresses are safer, reducing stiffness through localized heat, improving joint function without systemic side effects, making them the priority intervention for daily symptom management.
Choice D reason: A high-sodium diet increases fluid retention, potentially worsening joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Warm compresses directly alleviate morning stiffness by enhancing circulation, making them the priority, as dietary sodium does not address acute joint symptoms effectively.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Chest x-ray may show nonspecific findings in pulmonary embolism but is not diagnostic. D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, is highly sensitive for detecting thrombosis, guiding further imaging like CT pulmonary angiography, making it the priority test in suspected cases.
Choice B reason: Electrocardiogram may show tachycardia or right heart strain in pulmonary embolism but is nonspecific. D-dimer is a sensitive screening test, indicating clot presence, which prompts definitive imaging, making it the preferred initial diagnostic step in suspected pulmonary embolism.
Choice C reason: D-dimer blood test is the most sensitive screening tool for pulmonary embolism, detecting fibrin degradation from clots. Elevated levels prompt CT pulmonary angiography for confirmation, guiding urgent treatment to prevent further embolization, making it the critical test to anticipate.
Choice D reason: Arterial blood gas may reveal hypoxemia in pulmonary embolism but is nonspecific, as other conditions cause similar findings. D-dimer is more diagnostic, identifying clot presence, guiding imaging, and ensuring timely intervention, making it the priority test in suspected cases.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
