Hepatitis NCLEX Questions with Correct
Answers
"Several children at a daycare center have been infected with hepatitis A virus. Which
instruction by the nurse would reduce the risk of hepatitis A to the other children and
staff members?
1. Hand washing after diaper changes
2. Isolation of the sick children
3. Use of masks during contact with the children
4. Sterilization of all eating utensils" - Answer-Answer 1: Rationale: children in day care
centers are at risk for hepatits A infection which is transmitted via fecal-oral route due to
poor hand hygeine practices and poor sanitation. Isolation of sick children, use of mask
during contact, and sterilization of all eating utensils would not be useful in breaking the
chain of infection.
"A client has developed hepatitis A after eating contaminated oysters. The nurse
assesses the client for which of the following?
1. Malaise
2. Dark stools
3. Weight gain
4. Left upper quadrant discomfort" - Answer-Correct Answer 1: Rationale: Hepatitis
causes GI symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, right upper quadrant discomfort and
weight loss. Fatigue and malaise are common. Stools will be light or clay colored if
conjugated bilirubin is unable to flow out of the liver because of inflammation or
obstruction of the bile ducts.
The home care nurse is visiting a client during an icteric phase of hepatitis of unknown
etiology. The nurse would be MOST concerned if the client made which of the following
comments?
1. ""I must not share eating utensils with my family.""
2. ""I must use my own bath towel.""
3. ""I'm glad that my husband and I can continue to have intimate relations.""
4. ""I must eat small, frequent feedings.""" - Answer-Correct: 3
3. ""I'm glad my husband..."" - CORRECT: avoid sexual contact until serologic indicators
return to normal
"A patient with hepatitis A is in the acute phase. The nurse plans care for the patient
based on the knowledge that:
, A. pruritus is a common problem with jaundice in this phase.
B. the patient is most likley to transmit the disease during this phase.
C. gastrointestinal symptoms are not as severe in hepatitis A as they are in hepatitis B.
D. extrahepatic manifestations of glomerulonephritis and polyarteritis are common in
this phase." - Answer-Correct: A
The acute phase of jaundice may be icteric (i.e., symptomatic, including jaundice) or
anicteric. Jaundice results when bilirubin diffuses into the tissues. Pruritus sometimes
accompanies jaundice. Pruritus is the result of an accumulation of bile salts beneath the
skin.
"When planning care for a patient with cirrhosis, the nurse will give highest priority to
which of the following nursing diagnoses?
A: Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
B: Impaired skin integrity related to edema, ascites, and pruritis
C: Eccess fluid volume related to portal hypertension and hyperaldosteronism
D: Ineffective breathing pattern related to pressure on diaphragm and reduced lung
volume - Answer-CORRECT: D
Although all of these nursing diagnoses are appropriate and important in the care of a
patient with cirrhosis, AIRWAY and BREATHING are always the highest priorities.
"To prevent the spread of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection the nurse is especially careful
when
A. Disposing of food trays
B. Emptying bed pan
C. Taking an oral temperature
D. Changing IV tubing" - Answer-Answer: B Rationale: HAV is transmitted primarily
person-to-person by the fecal-oral route. Food can be a method of transmission but
needs to be fecally contaminated. Since the transmission of hepatitis A is fecal-oral and
not saliva or blood like hepatitis B, taking a temperature and changing IV tubing would
not spread hepatitis A.
"A patient with hepatitis B is being discharged in 2 days. In the discharge teaching plan
the nurse should include instructions to:
a. Avoid alcohol for the first 3 weeks
b. Use a condom during sexual intercourse
c. Have family members get an injection of immunoglobin
d. Follow a low-protein, moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-fat diet - Answer-Answer B
Hepatitis B virus may be transmitted by mucosal exposure to infectious blood, blood
products, or other body fluids (e.g., semen, vaginal secretions, saliva). Hepatitis B is a
sexually transmitted disease that is acquired through unprotected sex with an infected
person. Condom use should be taught to patients to prevent transmission of hepatitis B.
Answers
"Several children at a daycare center have been infected with hepatitis A virus. Which
instruction by the nurse would reduce the risk of hepatitis A to the other children and
staff members?
1. Hand washing after diaper changes
2. Isolation of the sick children
3. Use of masks during contact with the children
4. Sterilization of all eating utensils" - Answer-Answer 1: Rationale: children in day care
centers are at risk for hepatits A infection which is transmitted via fecal-oral route due to
poor hand hygeine practices and poor sanitation. Isolation of sick children, use of mask
during contact, and sterilization of all eating utensils would not be useful in breaking the
chain of infection.
"A client has developed hepatitis A after eating contaminated oysters. The nurse
assesses the client for which of the following?
1. Malaise
2. Dark stools
3. Weight gain
4. Left upper quadrant discomfort" - Answer-Correct Answer 1: Rationale: Hepatitis
causes GI symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, right upper quadrant discomfort and
weight loss. Fatigue and malaise are common. Stools will be light or clay colored if
conjugated bilirubin is unable to flow out of the liver because of inflammation or
obstruction of the bile ducts.
The home care nurse is visiting a client during an icteric phase of hepatitis of unknown
etiology. The nurse would be MOST concerned if the client made which of the following
comments?
1. ""I must not share eating utensils with my family.""
2. ""I must use my own bath towel.""
3. ""I'm glad that my husband and I can continue to have intimate relations.""
4. ""I must eat small, frequent feedings.""" - Answer-Correct: 3
3. ""I'm glad my husband..."" - CORRECT: avoid sexual contact until serologic indicators
return to normal
"A patient with hepatitis A is in the acute phase. The nurse plans care for the patient
based on the knowledge that:
, A. pruritus is a common problem with jaundice in this phase.
B. the patient is most likley to transmit the disease during this phase.
C. gastrointestinal symptoms are not as severe in hepatitis A as they are in hepatitis B.
D. extrahepatic manifestations of glomerulonephritis and polyarteritis are common in
this phase." - Answer-Correct: A
The acute phase of jaundice may be icteric (i.e., symptomatic, including jaundice) or
anicteric. Jaundice results when bilirubin diffuses into the tissues. Pruritus sometimes
accompanies jaundice. Pruritus is the result of an accumulation of bile salts beneath the
skin.
"When planning care for a patient with cirrhosis, the nurse will give highest priority to
which of the following nursing diagnoses?
A: Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
B: Impaired skin integrity related to edema, ascites, and pruritis
C: Eccess fluid volume related to portal hypertension and hyperaldosteronism
D: Ineffective breathing pattern related to pressure on diaphragm and reduced lung
volume - Answer-CORRECT: D
Although all of these nursing diagnoses are appropriate and important in the care of a
patient with cirrhosis, AIRWAY and BREATHING are always the highest priorities.
"To prevent the spread of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection the nurse is especially careful
when
A. Disposing of food trays
B. Emptying bed pan
C. Taking an oral temperature
D. Changing IV tubing" - Answer-Answer: B Rationale: HAV is transmitted primarily
person-to-person by the fecal-oral route. Food can be a method of transmission but
needs to be fecally contaminated. Since the transmission of hepatitis A is fecal-oral and
not saliva or blood like hepatitis B, taking a temperature and changing IV tubing would
not spread hepatitis A.
"A patient with hepatitis B is being discharged in 2 days. In the discharge teaching plan
the nurse should include instructions to:
a. Avoid alcohol for the first 3 weeks
b. Use a condom during sexual intercourse
c. Have family members get an injection of immunoglobin
d. Follow a low-protein, moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-fat diet - Answer-Answer B
Hepatitis B virus may be transmitted by mucosal exposure to infectious blood, blood
products, or other body fluids (e.g., semen, vaginal secretions, saliva). Hepatitis B is a
sexually transmitted disease that is acquired through unprotected sex with an infected
person. Condom use should be taught to patients to prevent transmission of hepatitis B.
