Med-Surg Nursing Exam: Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disorders
1. Cirrhosis can result from various causes. Which of the following is the most common
cause in the United States?
A. Hepatitis A infection
B. Chronic alcohol use disorder
C. Biliary obstruction
D. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
B – Chronic alcohol use is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the U.S.
2. A patient with cirrhosis presents with ascites. Which nursing interventions are
appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
A. Restrict sodium intake
B. Encourage fluid intake of at least 3L per day
C. Administer spironolactone as prescribed
D. Place the patient in a supine position for comfort
E. Monitor daily weight and abdominal girth measurements
A, C, E – Sodium restriction, diuretics, and monitoring are key interventions.
3. Which clinical manifestations are most commonly associated with
hepatic encephalopathy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Asterixis (flapping tremor)
B. Bradypnea
C. Confusion and irritability
D. Jaundice
E. Fetor hepaticus (musty breath odor)
A, C, E – Asterixis, confusion, and fetor hepaticus are signs of hepatic encephalopathy.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who has developed esophageal
varices. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage high-protein meals
B. Monitor for signs of bleeding and administer beta-blockers as prescribed
, C. Encourage oral intake of fluids to maintain hydration
D. Administer antibiotics to prevent secondary infections
B – Bleeding risk is high, and beta-blockers help reduce portal hypertension.
5. True or False: Lactulose is administered to patients with cirrhosis to promote
bowel movements and prevent constipation.
False – Lactulose is given to reduce ammonia levels, not just for constipation.
6. Which statement is true regarding the clinical manifestations of liver cancer?
A. Early-stage liver cancer is often asymptomatic
B. Most patients experience severe right upper quadrant pain at early stages
C. Jaundice is always the first symptom of liver cancer
D. Patients with liver cancer rarely have ascites
A – Liver cancer is often asymptomatic in early stages.
7. The primary curative treatment for liver cancer is:
A. Radiation therapy
B. Chemotherapy
C. Liver transplantation
D. Palliative care
C – Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment.
8. Which laboratory findings are commonly associated with liver cancer? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
B. Increased albumin level
C. Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
D. Decreased bilirubin level
E. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT)
A, C, E – AFP elevation, liver enzyme changes, and prolonged PT are common
9. Which of the following are major risk factors for pancreatic cancer? (Select all
that apply.)
1. Cirrhosis can result from various causes. Which of the following is the most common
cause in the United States?
A. Hepatitis A infection
B. Chronic alcohol use disorder
C. Biliary obstruction
D. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
B – Chronic alcohol use is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the U.S.
2. A patient with cirrhosis presents with ascites. Which nursing interventions are
appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
A. Restrict sodium intake
B. Encourage fluid intake of at least 3L per day
C. Administer spironolactone as prescribed
D. Place the patient in a supine position for comfort
E. Monitor daily weight and abdominal girth measurements
A, C, E – Sodium restriction, diuretics, and monitoring are key interventions.
3. Which clinical manifestations are most commonly associated with
hepatic encephalopathy? (Select all that apply.)
A. Asterixis (flapping tremor)
B. Bradypnea
C. Confusion and irritability
D. Jaundice
E. Fetor hepaticus (musty breath odor)
A, C, E – Asterixis, confusion, and fetor hepaticus are signs of hepatic encephalopathy.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who has developed esophageal
varices. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage high-protein meals
B. Monitor for signs of bleeding and administer beta-blockers as prescribed
, C. Encourage oral intake of fluids to maintain hydration
D. Administer antibiotics to prevent secondary infections
B – Bleeding risk is high, and beta-blockers help reduce portal hypertension.
5. True or False: Lactulose is administered to patients with cirrhosis to promote
bowel movements and prevent constipation.
False – Lactulose is given to reduce ammonia levels, not just for constipation.
6. Which statement is true regarding the clinical manifestations of liver cancer?
A. Early-stage liver cancer is often asymptomatic
B. Most patients experience severe right upper quadrant pain at early stages
C. Jaundice is always the first symptom of liver cancer
D. Patients with liver cancer rarely have ascites
A – Liver cancer is often asymptomatic in early stages.
7. The primary curative treatment for liver cancer is:
A. Radiation therapy
B. Chemotherapy
C. Liver transplantation
D. Palliative care
C – Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment.
8. Which laboratory findings are commonly associated with liver cancer? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
B. Increased albumin level
C. Elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT)
D. Decreased bilirubin level
E. Prolonged prothrombin time (PT)
A, C, E – AFP elevation, liver enzyme changes, and prolonged PT are common
9. Which of the following are major risk factors for pancreatic cancer? (Select all
that apply.)
