Question

Extending the arms allows the nurse to check for asterixis, a classic sign of hepatic encephalopathy. The other tests might also be done as part of the neurologic assessment but would not be diagnostic for hepatic encephalopathy. Which action should the nurse take to evaluate treatment effectiveness for a patient who has hepatic encephalopathy?

Answer 1

To evaluate treatment effectiveness for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy, a nurse should perform a neurological assessment, which includes tests to assess sensory functions and determine treatment effectiveness.

Step-by-step explanation:

To evaluate treatment effectiveness for a patient who has hepatic encephalopathy, the nurse should perform a neurological assessment. This assessment may include tests such as asking the patient to follow commands, tapping a muscle tendon with a reflex hammer, and asking the patient to follow a target through different positions. These tests help assess the patient's sensory functions and can provide valuable information about the effectiveness of the treatment.