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Chapter 53: Concepts of Care for Patients
With Liver Problems Ignatavicius: Medical-
Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition Verified and
Updated Questions and Answers (100%
Correct Answers)
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which risk factor is
the leading cause of cirrhosis?
a. Metabolic syndrome
b. Liver cancer
c. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
d. Hepatitis C
Answer: ANS: D
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis and an also cause liver cancer. Clients
with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often have metabolic syndrome and can also
develop cirrhosis.
2. The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. What nursing action
is appropriate to help control ascites?
a. Monitor intake and output.
b. Provide a low-sodium diet.
c. Increase oral fluid intake.
d. Weigh the patient daily.
Answer: ANS: B
A low-sodium diet is one means of controlling abdominal fluid collection. Monitoring
intake and output does not control fluid accumulation, nor does weighing the client.
These interventions merely assess or monitor the situation. Increasing fluid intake
would not be helpful.
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3. The nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a paracentesis 1 hour ago.
Which assessment finding would require immediate action by the nurse?
a. Urine output via indwelling urinary catheter is 20 mL/hr b. Blood pressure
increases from 110/58 to 120/62 mm Hg c. Respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 16
breaths/min d. A decrease in the client's weight by 3 lb (1.4 kg)
Answer: ANS: A
Rapid removal of ascitic fluid causes decreased abdominal pressure, which can
contribute to hypovolemia. This can be manifested by a decrease in urine output to
below 30 mL/hr. A slight increase in systolic blood pressure is insignificant. A
decrease in respiratory rate indicates that breathing has been made easier by the
procedure. The nurse would expect the client's weight to drop as fluid is removed.
To prevent hypovolemic shock, no more than 2000 mL are usually removed from the
abdomen at one time. The patient's weight typically only decreases by less than 2 kg
or 4.4 lb.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who has a risk gene for developing cirrhosis. Which
racial/ethnic group has this gene most often?
a. Blacks
b. Asian/Pacific Islanders
c. Latinos
d. French
Answer: ANS: C
The Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) has been
identified as a risk gene for cirrhosis, which occurs most often in Latinos when
compared to other populations.
5. The nurse is caring for a client with hepatic portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE).
The client is thin and cachectic, and the family expresses distress that the patient is
receiving little dietary protein. How would the nurse respond?
a. "A low-protein diet will help the liver rest and will restore liver function."
b. "Less protein in the diet will help prevent confusion associated with liver failure."
c. "Increasing dietary protein will help the patient gain weight and muscle mass."
Chapter 53: Concepts of Care for Patients
With Liver Problems Ignatavicius: Medical-
Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition Verified and
Updated Questions and Answers (100%
Correct Answers)
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which risk factor is
the leading cause of cirrhosis?
a. Metabolic syndrome
b. Liver cancer
c. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
d. Hepatitis C
Answer: ANS: D
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis and an also cause liver cancer. Clients
with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often have metabolic syndrome and can also
develop cirrhosis.
2. The nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. What nursing action
is appropriate to help control ascites?
a. Monitor intake and output.
b. Provide a low-sodium diet.
c. Increase oral fluid intake.
d. Weigh the patient daily.
Answer: ANS: B
A low-sodium diet is one means of controlling abdominal fluid collection. Monitoring
intake and output does not control fluid accumulation, nor does weighing the client.
These interventions merely assess or monitor the situation. Increasing fluid intake
would not be helpful.
, Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
3. The nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a paracentesis 1 hour ago.
Which assessment finding would require immediate action by the nurse?
a. Urine output via indwelling urinary catheter is 20 mL/hr b. Blood pressure
increases from 110/58 to 120/62 mm Hg c. Respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 16
breaths/min d. A decrease in the client's weight by 3 lb (1.4 kg)
Answer: ANS: A
Rapid removal of ascitic fluid causes decreased abdominal pressure, which can
contribute to hypovolemia. This can be manifested by a decrease in urine output to
below 30 mL/hr. A slight increase in systolic blood pressure is insignificant. A
decrease in respiratory rate indicates that breathing has been made easier by the
procedure. The nurse would expect the client's weight to drop as fluid is removed.
To prevent hypovolemic shock, no more than 2000 mL are usually removed from the
abdomen at one time. The patient's weight typically only decreases by less than 2 kg
or 4.4 lb.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who has a risk gene for developing cirrhosis. Which
racial/ethnic group has this gene most often?
a. Blacks
b. Asian/Pacific Islanders
c. Latinos
d. French
Answer: ANS: C
The Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) has been
identified as a risk gene for cirrhosis, which occurs most often in Latinos when
compared to other populations.
5. The nurse is caring for a client with hepatic portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE).
The client is thin and cachectic, and the family expresses distress that the patient is
receiving little dietary protein. How would the nurse respond?
a. "A low-protein diet will help the liver rest and will restore liver function."
b. "Less protein in the diet will help prevent confusion associated with liver failure."
c. "Increasing dietary protein will help the patient gain weight and muscle mass."
