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
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["1.8"]
Explanation
The client weighs 132 pounds. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by
2.2. So, the client’s weight in kilograms is: Step 1: 132 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 60 kg The prescription for dantrolene is 1.5 mg/kg. To find out how many milligrams the client should receive, multiply the client’s weight in kilograms by the dosage in mg/kg: Step 2: 60 kg × 1.5 mg/kg = 90 mg The vial is reconstituted to yield a concentration of 50 mg/mL. To find out how many mL the nurse should administer, divide the total dosage in milligrams by the concentration in mg/mL: Step 3: 90 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 1.8 mL So, the nurse should administer 1.8 mL of dantrolene.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Allowing the client to express their feelings is an important part of providing psychosocial support. However, it does not specifically address the client’s need for acceptance.
Choice B rationale
Wearing gloves during the client interview can actually reinforce feelings of stigma and rejection, as it may suggest that the nurse is afraid of touching the client or catching their condition.
Choice C rationale
Offering a handshake during introductions can be a powerful gesture of acceptance, especially for a client with a visible skin condition like psoriasis. It communicates that the nurse is not afraid of physical contact and accepts the client as they are.
Choice D rationale
Encouraging the client to join a support group can provide them with a sense of community and shared experience, but it does not specifically address the client’s need for acceptance in their individual interactions with healthcare providers.
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