MEDSURG: LIVER AND GERD: FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
1) A patient with cancer that has metastasized to the liver has developed edema and
ascites. Which parameter would the nurse assess to determine the effectiveness
of prescribed diuretic therapy?
1. Breath sounds
2. Bowel sounds
3. Abdominal girth
4. Recent blood work -- Answer ✔✔ 3. Abdominal girth
2) Which information would the nurse include in the teaching plan for a patient who
is stable after treatment of recently diagnosed esophageal varices?
1. Decrease fluid intake to avoid irritating the varices.
2. Eat foods quickly so they do not get cold and cause distress.
3. Avoid exercise because it may cause bleeding of the varices.
4. Avoid straining during defecation to keep venous pressure low.
-- Answer ✔✔ 4. Avoid straining during defecation to keep
venous pressure low.
3) Which measurement would provide the most specific information about the
outcome of a paracentesis for a patient who has ascites?
, 1. Cardiac output
2. Blood pressure (BP)
3. Abdominal girth
4. Intake and output -- Answer ✔✔ 3. Abdominal girth
4) Which condition would the nurse suspect when a patient's assessment findings
include asterixis, hyperventilation, and fetor hepaticus?
1. Hepatitis
2. Liver cirrhosis
3. Hepatorenal syndrome
4. Hepatic encephalopathy -- Answer ✔✔ 4. Hepatic
encephalopathy
5) The nurse continues the focused risk assessment by asking about etiologic factors
related to cirrhosis. Which assessment finding provides the most likely indication
that the client is at high risk for cirrhosis?
1. Previous diagnosis of Hepatitis C.
2. Steady diet of high protein foods.
3. Exposure to toxic substances at work.
4. Familial evidence of cirrhosis. -- Answer ✔✔ 1. Previous
diagnosis of Hepatitis C.
6) A client with cirrhosis has prolonged APTT and PT/INR what clinical
manifestation would the nurse anticipate visualizing upon assessment?
1. Weight loss
2. Peripheral edema
3. Jaundice
4. Petechiae -- Answer ✔✔ 4. Petechiae
7) The client is minimally responsive and has a Glasgow Coma Scale rating of 8. The
client is admitted with a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. Which of the client's
serum laboratory values requires intervention by the nurse?
1. Serum ammonia 157 mcg/dL (112.1 mcmol/L)
2. pH 7.50
3. PaCO2 50 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWERS
1) A patient with cancer that has metastasized to the liver has developed edema and
ascites. Which parameter would the nurse assess to determine the effectiveness
of prescribed diuretic therapy?
1. Breath sounds
2. Bowel sounds
3. Abdominal girth
4. Recent blood work -- Answer ✔✔ 3. Abdominal girth
2) Which information would the nurse include in the teaching plan for a patient who
is stable after treatment of recently diagnosed esophageal varices?
1. Decrease fluid intake to avoid irritating the varices.
2. Eat foods quickly so they do not get cold and cause distress.
3. Avoid exercise because it may cause bleeding of the varices.
4. Avoid straining during defecation to keep venous pressure low.
-- Answer ✔✔ 4. Avoid straining during defecation to keep
venous pressure low.
3) Which measurement would provide the most specific information about the
outcome of a paracentesis for a patient who has ascites?
, 1. Cardiac output
2. Blood pressure (BP)
3. Abdominal girth
4. Intake and output -- Answer ✔✔ 3. Abdominal girth
4) Which condition would the nurse suspect when a patient's assessment findings
include asterixis, hyperventilation, and fetor hepaticus?
1. Hepatitis
2. Liver cirrhosis
3. Hepatorenal syndrome
4. Hepatic encephalopathy -- Answer ✔✔ 4. Hepatic
encephalopathy
5) The nurse continues the focused risk assessment by asking about etiologic factors
related to cirrhosis. Which assessment finding provides the most likely indication
that the client is at high risk for cirrhosis?
1. Previous diagnosis of Hepatitis C.
2. Steady diet of high protein foods.
3. Exposure to toxic substances at work.
4. Familial evidence of cirrhosis. -- Answer ✔✔ 1. Previous
diagnosis of Hepatitis C.
6) A client with cirrhosis has prolonged APTT and PT/INR what clinical
manifestation would the nurse anticipate visualizing upon assessment?
1. Weight loss
2. Peripheral edema
3. Jaundice
4. Petechiae -- Answer ✔✔ 4. Petechiae
7) The client is minimally responsive and has a Glasgow Coma Scale rating of 8. The
client is admitted with a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. Which of the client's
serum laboratory values requires intervention by the nurse?
1. Serum ammonia 157 mcg/dL (112.1 mcmol/L)
2. pH 7.50
3. PaCO2 50 mmHg
