What causes hepatic encephalopathy?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by the buildup of ammonia in the body. Ammonia, a byproduct of protein metabolism, normally gets converted to urea in the liver for excretion. However, in liver dysfunction, such as cirrhosis, the liver cannot effectively convert ammonia to urea, leading to its accumulation in the body and subsequently causing hepatic encephalopathy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Patients on long-term steroid therapy should be monitored for osteoporosis due to the medication's potential to decrease bone density. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. While long-term steroid therapy can also lead to hyperglycemia, hypothyroidism, and hypertension, the primary concern and most common risk associated with prolonged steroid use is osteoporosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a patient is prescribed an oral anticoagulant, the nurse should monitor for signs of bleeding. Oral anticoagulants work by inhibiting the blood's ability to clot, which increases the risk of bleeding. Monitoring for signs of bleeding such as easy bruising, petechiae, hematuria, or bleeding gums is crucial to prevent complications. Elevated blood glucose (Choice A) is not directly related to oral anticoagulant use. Decreased blood pressure (Choice B) is not a common effect of oral anticoagulants. Increased appetite (Choice D) is not a typical side effect of oral anticoagulants and is not a primary concern when monitoring a patient on this medication.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to increase sodium intake. Maintaining consistent sodium levels is crucial for patients on lithium therapy to prevent fluctuations in drug levels. Increasing caffeine intake (Choice A) is not recommended as it can interfere with lithium levels. While protein intake (Choice C) is important, it is not the essential dietary recommendation for patients on lithium therapy. Similarly, increasing fiber intake (Choice D) is not a key recommendation for these patients.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease should avoid Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because they can worsen peptic ulcers due to their effects on the stomach lining. Acetaminophen (Choice A) is a safer alternative for pain relief in such patients as it does not have the same ulcerogenic effects. Antacids (Choice B) can actually help alleviate symptoms by neutralizing stomach acid and are generally safe to use. Antihistamines (Choice D) are not known to exacerbate peptic ulcers and can be used safely for conditions like allergies.