Author Question: A nurse cares for a client with hepatitis C. The client's brother states, I do not want to contract ... (Read 84 times)

Pea0909berry · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A nurse cares for a client with hepatitis C. The client's brother states, I do not want to contract this infection, so I will not go into his hospital room. How should the nurse respond?

a. If you wear a gown and gloves, you will not get this virus.
b. Viral hepatitis is not spread through casual contact.
c. This virus is only transmitted through a fecal specimen.
d. I can give you an update on your brother's status from here.

Question 2

A nurse cares for a client with hepatopulmonary syndrome who is experiencing dyspnea with oxygen saturations at 92. The client states, I do not want to wear the oxygen because it causes my nose to bleed. Get out of my room and leave me alone

Which action should the nurse take?

a.
Instruct the client to sit in as upright a position as possible.
b.
Add humidity to the oxygen and encourage the client to wear it.
c.
Document the client's refusal, and call the health care provider.
d.
Contact the provider to request an extra dose of the client's diuretic.

Liddy · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Although family members may be afraid that they will contract hepatitis C, the nurse should educate the client's family about how the virus is spread. Viral hepatitis, or hepatitis C, is spread via blood-to-blood transmission and is associated with illicit IV drug needle sharing, blood and organ transplantation, accidental needle sticks, unsanitary tattoo equipment, and sharing of intranasal cocaine paraphernalia. Wearing a gown and gloves will not decrease the transmission of this virus. Hepatitis C is not spread through casual contact or a fecal specimen. The nurse would be violating privacy laws by sharing the client's status with the brother.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The client with hepatopulmonary syndrome is often dyspneic. Because the oxygen saturation is not significantly low, the nurse should first allow the client to sit upright to see if that helps. If the client remains dyspneic, or if the oxygen saturation drops further, the nurse should investigate adding humidity to the oxygen and seeing whether the client will tolerate that. The other two options may be beneficial, but they are not the best choices. If the client is comfortable, his or her agitation will decrease; this will improve respiratory status.