Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 71%
Full-length
Passage / Scenario
The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit.History and Physical
General
The client is vomiting bright red blood; medical history includes alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension; the client was admitted a year ago for alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis
Neurological
The client is oriented to person and place; the pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Yellow scleras are noted
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18, SpO 94% on room air
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, BP 90/40; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses are 2+ in all extremities; 1+ edema is noted at the bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal
The abdomen is distended and nontender to palpation; the flanks are dull to percussion; bowel sounds are hypoactive; distended veins are present around the umbilicus
Genitourinary
Client is voiding amber-colored urine
Which of the following complications are related to liver cirrhosis? Select all that apply.
Correct answer
A,B,C,D,E
Rationale
Liver cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension and impaired liver function, causing: A) Abdominal ascites due to fluid accumulation from portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia; B) Coagulopathies from decreased synthesis of clotting factors; C) Esophageal varices from portal hypertension causing collateral vein formation; D) Hepatic encephalopathy from ammonia buildup due to impaired liver detoxification; E) Malnutrition from impaired nutrient metabolism and absorption.