The nurse is caring for a client with chronic pancreatitis who reports persistent gnawing abdominal pain. To help the client manage the pain, which assessment data is most important for the nurse to obtain?
Activity level of bowel sounds.
Level and amount of physical activity.
Color and consistency of feces.
Eating patterns of dietary intake.
The Correct Answer is D
A. While bowel sounds can indicate gastrointestinal activity, they do not directly correlate with pain management or the underlying cause of abdominal discomfort in chronic pancreatitis.
B. The level and amount of physical activity may impact overall well-being but are less directly related to the management of abdominal pain from pancreatitis.
C. The color and consistency of feces can provide some information regarding pancreatic function and fat absorption but is not the most immediate factor affecting pain management.
D. Understanding the client’s eating patterns, including food triggers and timing, is crucial because certain foods can exacerbate abdominal pain in chronic pancreatitis. Dietary adjustments can significantly help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Clear, dark amber-colored urine may indicate dehydration or concentrated urine, which does not necessarily signify improvement in liver function or treatment efficacy.
B. A prothrombin time within normal limits may indicate improved liver function; however, it is not the primary goal of the treatment plan focused on managing ascites and fluid retention in cirrhosis.
C. Decreased abdominal girth is a key indicator of progress in managing fluid retention associated with cirrhosis, as the treatment plan aims to reduce ascites through a low sodium diet and albumin infusions.
D. Improved level of consciousness is essential for overall recovery but is not the primary measure of progress related to fluid management and treatment effects in this context.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Discontinuing the infusion may lead to increased clotting and potential obstruction of the catheter. Continuous bladder irrigation is essential to keep the bladder clear of clots and debris following surgery.
B. Manually irrigating the catheter can help clear any clots that may be obstructing the catheter, ensuring adequate drainage and preventing complications such as bladder distention or retention. This is the most immediate and appropriate action to take in response to the presence of clots.
C. Monitoring catheter drainage is important; however, it does not address the potential issue of clots obstructing the flow of urine, which is the priority concern in this scenario.
D. Decreasing the flow rate may not be beneficial and could lead to inadequate irrigation of the bladder, which could exacerbate clot formation and urinary retention.