The nurse is caring for a patient who has liver failure and esophageal varices. The patient is to receive vasopressin (Pitressin) for which of the following purposes?
a. To promote portal circulation
b. To maintain blood pressure in a patient with hypotension related to bleeding varices
c. To constrict vessels causing bleeding in esophageal varices
d. To reduce ammonia buildup and encephalopathy
ANS: C
Vasopressin is a vasoconstrictor and will reduce bleeding in varices. It reduces, and does not promote, circulation. It can maintain blood pressure, but that is not the primary reason it is given to patients with varices. It does not affect ammonia levels.
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