The nurse is caring for a client with decompensated liver disease who is experiencing fever, chills, and abdominal tenderness.

Following a paracentesis, the nurse receives laboratory results of the ascitic fluid that show the polymorphonuclear leukocyte count is 425/mm (0.42 x 10/L). After notifying the healthcare provider, what action should the nurse take next?

Review serum protein levels

Begin abdominal girth measurements

Initiate antibiotic therapy

Assess neurological status

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
Reviewing serum protein levels can provide valuable information about a client’s nutritional status and liver function. However, in the context of a client with decompensated liver disease who is experiencing fever, chills, and abdominal tenderness, and has a high polymorphonuclear leukocyte count in ascitic fluid, initiating antibiotic therapy is the priority.
Choice B rationale
Beginning abdominal girth measurements can be useful for monitoring the progression of ascites in a client with liver disease. However, in this scenario, the priority is to treat the potential infection indicated by the client’s symptoms and lab results.
Choice C rationale

Initiating antibiotic therapy is the correct intervention in this case. The client’s symptoms and the high polymorphonuclear leukocyte count in the ascitic fluid suggest spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a serious complication of cirrhosis that requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
Choice D rationale
Assessing neurological status is important in clients with liver disease, as they are at risk for hepatic encephalopathy. However, in this scenario, the priority is to treat the potential infection indicated by the client’s symptoms and lab results.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Suggesting that the child participate in a team sport to encourage socialization is not the best response. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disease that causes muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. Participating in a team sport could be physically challenging for the child and could potentially lead to injury.
Choice B rationale
Encouraging the parents to allow the child to continue attending swimming lessons with supervision is the best response. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that can help maintain muscle strength and flexibility in children with DMD. It also provides an opportunity for socialization.
Choice C rationale
Explaining that the child is too young to understand the risks associated with swimming is not the best response. Children with DMD can participate in swimming with appropriate supervision and safety measures in place.
Choice D rationale
Providing a list of alternative activities that are less likely to cause the child to experience fatigue is not the best response. While it’s important to consider activities that are appropriate for the child’s physical abilities, it’s also important to consider the child’s interests. The child has expressed a desire to continue swimming, and with appropriate supervision, this activity can be beneficial.

A. How do you cope with the voices? B. When do you hear the voices? C. Which medication works best for you? D. What are the voices saying?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While it is essential to assess how the client copes with auditory hallucinations, asking this question alone does not provide specific information about the content of the hallucinations.

Choice B rationale

The timing of the voices can provide some insight into the triggers or patterns of the hallucinations, but it does not directly address the content or potential impact of the hallucinations on the client’s behavior or mental state.

Choice C rationale

While medication efficacy is an important aspect of managing schizophrenia, it does not directly address the current experience of the client’s hallucinations.

Choice D rationale

Understanding what the voices are saying to the client can provide critical information about potential risks, including self-harm or harm to others, and can guide the treatment plan. This is why it is the most important question for the nurse to include in the client’s assessment.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The parents of a 6-year-old child recently diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy express that their child wants to continue attending swimming classes. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the hospital reporting auditory hallucinations. Which query is most important for the nurse to include in the client’s assessment?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A caregiver brings a client with end-stage Alzheimer’s disease to the clinic for an appointment with the healthcare provider. The caregiver confides in the nurse about experiencing sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying. What action should the nurse take?

Which assessment finding is most crucial when planning to provide a complete bed bath to a bedfast client?

Before inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, which information about the patient is most important for the nurse to obtain?

The nurse identifies an electrolyte imbalance, elevated blood pressure, and a weight gain of 4.4 lbs (2 kg) in 24 hours in a client with hepatic failure. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg is on a heparin protocol. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

Restricted activity is prescribed for a client with Crohn’s disease. What is the primary purpose of the activity restriction?