The nurse is caring for a patient who has chronic liver failure. The nurse would recognize which of the following laboratory results as a late sign of liver failure?
a. Low serum ammonia
b. Low serum albumin
c. Low serum bilirubin
d. Low serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
ANS: B
Protein synthesis (albumin) is impaired in liver disease. Ammonia, bilirubin, and AST are all elevated in liver disease.
You might also like to view...
The nurse reviews common cultural personal space preferences prior to an interview. Which of the following clients is likely to be comfortable with close personal space proximity?
1. African 2. Chinese 3. German 4. Eastern Indian
A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). The nurse realizes that this medication will be helpful to the patient because it will
1. reduce edema. 2. keep sodium in the body. 3. preserve protein. 4. be the gentlest diuretic to use.
A patient's PaO2 level is 48 mm Hg. The nurse realizes this patient is experiencing which of the following?
1. hypoxemia 2. hypoxia 3. dysoxia 4. hyperventilation
Myocardial ischemia delays the process of repolarization; therefore the ECG changes characteristic of ischemia include _____
a. widening of the QRS complex b. prolongation of the PR interval c. changes in the ST segment and T wave d. changes in the QRS complex and ST segment