The nurse notes these laboratory results for a client with cirrhosis: PT 20 seconds (11-12.5 sec) and serum ammonia 35 mcg/dL (15-45 mcg/dL). What action by the nurse would be a priority?
Auscultate lungs
Monitor I&O
Check stools for blood
Initiate fall precautions
The Correct Answer is C
A) While important, it is not directly related to the coagulopathy indicated by the prolonged PT.
B) Important for overall fluid management but not directly related to the risk of bleeding.
C) With a significantly prolonged PT, assessing for signs of gastrointestinal bleeding is a priority.
D) Important for safety, but the immediate risk of bleeding due to coagulopathy takes precedence.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) While reviewing the diet history is important to understand nutritional intake and habits, it is not the priority action in this case.
B) Consulting a dietitian is important but should follow an assessment that identifies the specific issue causing the symptoms.
C) This action may be necessary if the patient is dehydrated but doesn’t address the primary concern of foul-smelling stools and weight loss.
D) This test is crucial as it helps confirm the diagnosis of malabsorption, which is likely given the patient’s history of chronic pancreatitis and symptoms described. This would be the priority to confirm the cause of the symptoms.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Gallstones are a leading cause of acute pancreatitis as they can block the pancreatic duct.
B) While inflammation of the duodenum can cause abdominal symptoms, it does not directly lead to acute pancreatitis.
C) Diabetes results from the dysfunction of the pancreas after damage but does not cause acute pancreatitis.
D) Hepatitis C affects the liver and does not directly cause pancreatitis.
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