Gastrointestinal and Renal Care Flashcards
7 cards from real CCRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Gastrointestinal and Renal Care flashcards as text
A patient with acute pancreatitis develops a positive Cullen sign. What does this finding indicate?
Answer: Periumbilical ecchymosis from retroperitoneal hemorrhage
Cullen sign is periumbilical bruising indicating retroperitoneal bleeding seen in severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Which serum value is the most specific marker for acute pancreatitis?
Answer: Lipase
Lipase is more specific and stays elevated longer than amylase in acute pancreatitis.
A patient with cirrhosis has worsening confusion and asterixis. Which intervention is most appropriate?
Answer: Administer lactulose
Lactulose reduces ammonia absorption, treating hepatic encephalopathy that causes confusion and asterixis.
Which electrolyte abnormality is most common in a patient with prolonged nasogastric suction?
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia
Loss of gastric acid and potassium from NG suction produces hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis.
A patient with an upper GI bleed has melena. What does melena indicate?
Answer: Digested blood from an upper GI source
Melena is black, tarry stool from digested blood, signaling an upper GI bleeding source.
Which finding is the earliest sign of acute kidney injury in a critically ill patient?
Answer: Rising serum creatinine and decreased urine output
A rising creatinine with oliguria is the hallmark early indicator of acute kidney injury.
A patient receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) suddenly becomes hypotensive. What is the priority action?
Answer: Assess fluid removal rate and circuit
Excessive ultrafiltration during CRRT can cause hypotension, so assess and adjust the fluid removal rate.