Concepts of Care for Patients With Liver Problems

Concepts of Care for Patients With Liver Problems. Mr. Stellas is a 54-year-old man with a known history of alcoholism. He has been admitted numerous times to the hospital. Today he is again admitted with complications of cirrhosis.

Question 1

What assessment findings should the nurse anticipate?

Question 2

During hospitalization, Mr. Stellas has had an average 24-hour urinary output of 1000 mL. Today, the nurse notes that he has had 486 mL of urinary output in the last 24 hours.

Laboratory results indicate elevation in BUN and creatinine levels, and a urine sodium level of 6 mEq/L. He is oriented occasionally to person; he is not oriented to place or time. What priorities of care should the nurse identify?

Question 3

The provider comes to examine Mr. Stellas and performs a paracentesis. The provider and nurse are talking with family members who state that they are worried that Mr. Stellas is “not going to make it through this hospitalization.” What types of responses are appropriate?