A client with liver cirrhosis and ascites is being treated with spironolactone. What is a key nursing consideration for this medication?

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Question 1 of 5

A client with liver cirrhosis and ascites is being treated with spironolactone. What is a key nursing consideration for this medication?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Monitoring for signs of hyperkalemia. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic commonly used in clients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. The key nursing consideration is monitoring potassium levels due to the risk of hyperkalemia, as spironolactone reduces potassium excretion. Hyperkalemia can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias. Checking for hypoglycemia (B) is not directly related to spironolactone use. Assessing for dehydration (C) is important but not the key consideration for this medication. Observing for hyponatremia (D) is not a common side effect of spironolactone.

Question 2 of 5

After a client with ascites due to liver cirrhosis undergoes a paracentesis, what should the nurse do post-procedure?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the client's blood pressure and heart rate. Post-paracentesis, there is a risk of hypotension due to sudden fluid shift. Monitoring BP and HR is crucial to detect and manage any hemodynamic changes promptly. Encouraging fluid intake (choice A) may exacerbate ascites. Positioning flat (choice C) may lead to hypotension. Administering furosemide (choice D) without monitoring vital signs can worsen hypotension.

Question 3 of 5

A client reports recent exposure to hepatitis A. What is a common mode of transmission for this virus?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Fecal-oral route. Hepatitis A is commonly transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water. The virus is present in the feces of infected individuals and can be spread through inadequate sanitation practices. Blood transfusion (A) is not a common mode of transmission for hepatitis A. Needle sharing (C) is more associated with hepatitis B and C transmission. Sexual contact (D) is not a primary mode of transmission for hepatitis A. In summary, the fecal-oral route is the most common mode of transmission for hepatitis A due to contamination of food or water with the virus.

Question 4 of 5

A client with hepatic encephalopathy is being treated with lactulose. What is an expected outcome of this treatment?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Lactulose works by reducing blood ammonia levels through promoting its excretion in the stool. 2. Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by elevated blood ammonia levels affecting brain function. 3. Therefore, the expected outcome of lactulose treatment is a reduction in blood ammonia levels, improving the client's condition. Summary: - Reduction in blood ammonia levels is the correct outcome as lactulose targets this mechanism. - Improvement in liver enzyme levels and decrease in bilirubin levels are not direct effects of lactulose. - Increase in urine output is not a typical outcome of lactulose treatment for hepatic encephalopathy.

Question 5 of 5

A healthcare provider is providing dietary teaching to a client with cholecystitis. Which type of diet should the healthcare provider recommend?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. For cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder, a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is essential to prevent exacerbation of symptoms. High-fat diets can trigger gallbladder attacks, while low-fat and low-cholesterol diets help reduce the workload on the gallbladder. High-fiber (choice A) may be too harsh on the digestive system. Low-fiber, high-protein (choice B) and high-protein, high-fat (choice D) diets can exacerbate symptoms due to the high-fat content.

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