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: Monitoring daily urine output assesses kidney function and fluid balance, as urine volume reflects hydration and electrolyte homeostasis. Inadequate output signals dehydration or renal issues, allowing timely intervention to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, making it the most effective nursing action.
Choice B reason: Salt tablets after exercise replace sodium lost in sweat but are not a universal intervention for fluid and electrolyte balance. They risk hypernatremia if overused. Monitoring urine output is more comprehensive, as it directly evaluates fluid status across various clinical scenarios.
Choice C reason: Reviewing food labels for sodium content helps manage dietary intake but is indirect and patient-dependent. Urine output monitoring provides objective data on fluid and electrolyte status, enabling timely adjustments in therapy, making it a more immediate and reliable intervention.
Choice D reason: Drinking water when thirsty supports hydration but relies on subjective thirst, which may be impaired in certain conditions. Monitoring urine output objectively assesses fluid balance, detecting imbalances early, making it a more proactive and precise intervention than thirst-driven hydration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Diclofenac, an NSAID, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to anemia. Pale appearance and fatigue suggest blood loss. Reviewing hemoglobin levels is critical to confirm anemia, as low hemoglobin impairs oxygen delivery, exacerbating fatigue and requiring immediate intervention to address potential bleeding.
Choice B reason: Glucose levels are unrelated to diclofenac’s common side effects. Fatigue may occur in hypoglycemia, but diclofenac does not typically affect glucose metabolism. Pale appearance and fatigue are more indicative of anemia from NSAID-related bleeding, making hemoglobin a more urgent lab value to review.
Choice C reason: Total protein levels reflect nutritional status or liver function but are not directly linked to diclofenac’s side effects. Fatigue and pallor suggest anemia from gastrointestinal bleeding, a known NSAID risk. Hemoglobin is more critical to assess, as it directly correlates with the client’s symptoms.
Choice D reason: Sodium levels influence fluid balance but are not typically altered by diclofenac. Fatigue and pallor point to anemia from potential bleeding, not electrolyte imbalance. Hemoglobin review is prioritized, as diclofenac’s gastrointestinal side effects are more likely to cause blood loss than sodium disturbances.
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