Medical Surgical Nursing Exam Test Review Questions and Answers
cirrhosis
Answer: irreversible scarring of liver, caused by chronic inflammation and necrosis
portal hypertension
Answer: persistent increase in pressure within the portal vein greater than 5mmHg, due to increased
resistance or blockage
complications of portal hypertension
Answer: splenomegaly, ascites, esophageal varices, caput medusa, hemorrhoids
ascites
Answer: collection of free fluid within peritoneal cavity caused by increased hydrostatic pressure from
portal hypertension
treatment for ascites
Answer: spironolactone, furosemide, potassium supplements, and paracentesis,
How would the nurse assess patient diagnosed with cirrhosis of liver?
Answer: assess for jaundice, icterus; dry skin rashes, petechiae; ecchymosis; palmar erythema; spider
angiomas on nose, cheeks, upper thorax, shoulders; ascites, peripheral dependent edema of extremities
and sacrum. listen to bowel sounds,; assesss for abdominal wall rigidity.
Which diet recommendations are indicated for patients with abdominal ascites?
Answer: low-sodium diet (<2g NA), exclude table salt, vitamin supplements (thiamine) and
folate,
What are the early symptoms of cirrhosis?
Answer: Early Symptoms: Fatigue, change in weight, anorexia, vomiting, Abdominal pain, liver
tenderness, spontaneous bruising, GI bleeding
What are the late symptoms of cirrhosis?
Answer: Late Symptoms: jaundice, dry skin, rashes, petechiae, ecchymosis, palmar erythema, spider
angiomas, ascites, difficulty breathing, peripheral edema, vitamin deficiency (A, D, E, and K), blood in
stool (melena), amenorrhea, testicular atrophy, neurological issues, anxiety, depression, agitation
esophageal varices
Answer: a result of portal hypertension, occurs when fragile, thin walled esophageal veins become
distended. Bleeding risk. It most often occurs in the distal esophagus but may be present in stomach and
rectum.
Crackles
Answer: Mrs. Chua a 78 year old client is admitted with the
diagnosis of mild chronic heart failure. The nurse expects
to hear when listening to client's lungs indicative of
chronic heart failure would be:
cirrhosis
Answer: irreversible scarring of liver, caused by chronic inflammation and necrosis
portal hypertension
Answer: persistent increase in pressure within the portal vein greater than 5mmHg, due to increased
resistance or blockage
complications of portal hypertension
Answer: splenomegaly, ascites, esophageal varices, caput medusa, hemorrhoids
ascites
Answer: collection of free fluid within peritoneal cavity caused by increased hydrostatic pressure from
portal hypertension
treatment for ascites
Answer: spironolactone, furosemide, potassium supplements, and paracentesis,
How would the nurse assess patient diagnosed with cirrhosis of liver?
Answer: assess for jaundice, icterus; dry skin rashes, petechiae; ecchymosis; palmar erythema; spider
angiomas on nose, cheeks, upper thorax, shoulders; ascites, peripheral dependent edema of extremities
and sacrum. listen to bowel sounds,; assesss for abdominal wall rigidity.
Which diet recommendations are indicated for patients with abdominal ascites?
Answer: low-sodium diet (<2g NA), exclude table salt, vitamin supplements (thiamine) and
folate,
What are the early symptoms of cirrhosis?
Answer: Early Symptoms: Fatigue, change in weight, anorexia, vomiting, Abdominal pain, liver
tenderness, spontaneous bruising, GI bleeding
What are the late symptoms of cirrhosis?
Answer: Late Symptoms: jaundice, dry skin, rashes, petechiae, ecchymosis, palmar erythema, spider
angiomas, ascites, difficulty breathing, peripheral edema, vitamin deficiency (A, D, E, and K), blood in
stool (melena), amenorrhea, testicular atrophy, neurological issues, anxiety, depression, agitation
esophageal varices
Answer: a result of portal hypertension, occurs when fragile, thin walled esophageal veins become
distended. Bleeding risk. It most often occurs in the distal esophagus but may be present in stomach and
rectum.
Crackles
Answer: Mrs. Chua a 78 year old client is admitted with the
diagnosis of mild chronic heart failure. The nurse expects
to hear when listening to client's lungs indicative of
chronic heart failure would be:
