A patient with chronic hepatic encephalopathy is being discharged home. Discharge teaching centers upon long-term management strategies to prevent ammonia accumulation. Teaching for this patient includes instruction about

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protein intake of 50 g daily. In hepatic encephalopathy, reducing protein intake helps decrease ammonia production. Excessive ammonia leads to neurological symptoms. Lactulose (choice A) is correct for hepatic encephalopathy as it helps eliminate ammonia through the gut. Spironolactone (choice B) is a diuretic and not indicated for hepatic encephalopathy. Zolpidem (choice D) is a sleep aid and not relevant to managing ammonia accumulation. In summary, choice C is correct because it directly targets the underlying issue of ammonia accumulation in hepatic encephalopathy, while the other choices do not address this specific concern.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Prevent alveoli of the lungs from collapsing. Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing during exhalation and maintaining lung compliance. B, C, and D are incorrect because surfactant primarily affects lung mechanics, not the initiation of breathing, maturity of the respiratory center, or immediate regulation of breathing upon birth.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Couvelaire uterus. This condition refers to the bruised and edematous appearance of the uterus associated with placental abruption. Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine wall prematurely, leading to bleeding and a compromised blood supply to the uterus. The bruised appearance is due to blood infiltrating the myometrium. Explanation for other choices: A: Wernicke’s encephalopathy - This is a neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, not related to uterine issues. B: Uterine prolapse - This is the descent or herniation of the uterus into or beyond the vaginal canal, not related to placental abruption. D: Asherman’s syndrome - This is characterized by intrauterine adhesions or scar tissue, typically a result of uterine surgery, not associated with placental abruption.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Rhesus D incompatibility. Icterus gravis (severe jaundice) and hydrops fetalis (abnormal accumulation of fluid) are both conditions commonly associated with Rhesus D incompatibility between a mother and her fetus. This occurs when the mother is Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, leading to maternal antibodies attacking the fetal red blood cells, resulting in severe hemolytic anemia and subsequent complications. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: ABO incompatibility typically leads to less severe jaundice and hemolytic disease compared to Rhesus D incompatibility. C: Physiological jaundice is a common and benign condition in newborns caused by the immaturity of the liver, not by blood type incompatibility. D: Instant perinatal death is not specifically associated with these conditions, but rather with other serious complications during childbirth.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because BCG vaccination is recommended for newborns regardless of maternal smear status to prevent tuberculosis. The neonate is at risk of TB exposure postnatally and needs protection. Maternal smear status does not affect the indication for BCG in the newborn. Choice B is incorrect because withholding BCG in this case would leave the neonate vulnerable to TB. Choices C and D are not applicable as they do not provide any information.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Gram negative infection. In sepsis, especially with a Gram negative infection, organ donation may pose a risk of transmitting the infection to the recipient. This can be life-threatening for the organ recipient. Renal failure (choice A), traumatic brain injury (choice B), and breast cancer (choice D) are not direct contraindications to organ donation. Renal failure may limit the suitability of certain organs, but it does not automatically disqualify a patient from donating other organs. Traumatic brain injury may impact brain donation but does not rule out other organ donation. Breast cancer may affect eligibility for certain organs but does not universally disqualify a patient from organ donation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Prepare for reoperation. Given the patient's elevated AST and ALT levels after hepatic resection, along with abnormal prothrombin time and low albumin, there is concern for liver dysfunction. This indicates a potential complication post-surgery, such as hepatic insufficiency or failure, necessitating reoperation for further evaluation and management. Cancelling the transfer (A) would delay necessary intervention. Infusing albumin and fresh frozen plasma (B) would address only the symptoms but not the underlying cause. Repeating labs the next day (C) would not address the urgency of the situation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Multiple gestations are at higher risk for complications such as premature labor, where contractions start before 37 weeks, leading to preterm birth. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome can occur in identical twins sharing a placenta, causing unequal blood flow. Preeclampsia, characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage, is more common in multiple pregnancies. Therefore, all choices A, B, and C are correct as they are common complications associated with multiple gestations.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hyperextension casting. The AGACNP knows that this treatment is appropriate for a condition that requires immobilization and support while allowing controlled movement. Hyperextension casting provides stability and support while promoting healing. Observation (A) would not provide adequate treatment for a condition requiring immobilization. Jewett brace (C) is typically used for spinal fractures, not for conditions that require hyperextension casting. Surgical intervention (D) would be considered if conservative measures like casting have failed.