Three days after a cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis, a client reports persistent upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back. The client has vomited three times in the last 12 hours and has a temperature of 101.8° F (38.7° C). Serum amylase and lipase are twice the normal value. Based on these findings, the nurse should observe the client for which pathophysiological condition?
Acute pancreatitis.
Surgical site infection.
Hepatorenal failure.
Biliary duct obstruction.
The Correct Answer is A
The client's symptoms, along with the elevated serum amylase and lipase levels, suggest the development of acute pancreatitis as a postoperative complication. Here's a detailed explanation for why option A is the correct choice:
A) Acute pancreatitis:
Correct. Acute pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas, which can be triggered by various factors, including gallstones, alcohol consumption, and certain medications. In this case, the client's recent cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis (gallstones) may have led to the development of acute pancreatitis. The persistent upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, along with vomiting and fever, are classic symptoms of acute pancreatitis. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels are common laboratory findings in acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic cell injury and leakage of these enzymes into the bloodstream.
B) Surgical site infection:
While surgical site infections are potential complications of cholecystectomy, the client's symptoms, including upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever, are more indicative of a systemic inflammatory process rather than localized infection at the surgical site.
C) Hepatorenal failure:
Hepatorenal failure, also known as hepatorenal syndrome, refers to kidney dysfunction that occurs as a complication of advanced liver disease. The client's symptoms and laboratory findings are not consistent with hepatorenal failure, as there are no signs of significant liver dysfunction or advanced liver disease.
D) Biliary duct obstruction:
While biliary duct obstruction can lead to symptoms similar to those of acute pancreatitis, such as upper abdominal pain and vomiting, the presence of elevated serum amylase and lipase levels strongly suggests pancreatic involvement rather than isolated biliary duct obstruction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Acute leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), involves the proliferation of abnormal myeloblasts (immature white blood cells) in the bone marrow, leading to decreased production of normal blood cells. Here's the breakdown of the pathophysiology contributing to bruising in acute leukemia:
A) Oxyhemoglobin provides less oxygen to tissues:
Oxyhemoglobin refers to hemoglobin bound to oxygen, and its role is in oxygen transport, not in the process of bruising. Therefore, this option is not directly related to the pathophysiology of bruising in acute leukemia.
B) Insufficient platelets delay the clotting process:
Correct. Thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, is a common complication of acute leukemia due to the replacement of normal bone marrow cells with leukemia cells, leading to inadequate production of platelets. Platelets play a crucial role in hemostasis and clot formation. Insufficient platelets result in delayed clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding tendencies in patients with acute leukemia.
C) Phagocytic cells are inadequate in fighting infection:
Leukopenia, or low white blood cell count, can occur in acute leukemia due to suppression of normal hematopoiesis by leukemia cells in the bone marrow. While leukopenia predisposes patients to infections due to impaired immune function, it is not directly related to the pathophysiology of bruising.
D) Lack of iron causes hypochromic blood cells:
Iron deficiency anemia can result in hypochromic red blood cells, but this is not typically associated with the pathophysiology of bruising in acute leukemia. Anemia may contribute to other symptoms such as fatigue and pallor, but bruising primarily results from thrombocytopenia-induced clotting abnormalities.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Myocardial infarction:
Myocardial infarction (MI) typically presents with severe and prolonged chest pain or discomfort that is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. MI is characterized by myocardial necrosis due to prolonged ischemia, often resulting from the occlusion of a coronary artery by a thrombus or plaque rupture. While chest pressure and breathlessness are symptoms commonly associated with MI, the transient nature of the symptoms described by the client, as well as their relief after rest, is more indicative of stable angina rather than MI.
B. Unstable angina:
Unstable angina is characterized by new-onset angina, increasing frequency, or worsening intensity of angina symptoms. It is considered a medical emergency as it may precede a myocardial infarction. However, unstable angina typically presents with symptoms at rest or with minimal exertion and is not usually relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. The client's symptoms, which are relieved by rest, are more consistent with stable angina.
C. Stable angina:
Stable angina is characterized by predictable chest pain or discomfort that occurs with exertion or stress and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. The symptoms described by the client, including chest pressure and breathlessness that improve with rest, are consistent with stable angina. Stable angina occurs due to transient myocardial ischemia caused by an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, often related to coronary artery disease.
D. Prinzmetal angina:
Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina, is characterized by chest pain or discomfort that occurs at rest, often in the early morning hours, and is typically caused by coronary artery spasm rather than fixed atherosclerotic lesions. While Prinzmetal angina can present with transient symptoms similar to those described by the client, it is less common than stable angina and is often associated with transient ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG), which is not mentioned in the scenario.
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