Question

What patient manifestation does the nurse recognize as an early sign of hepatic encephalopathy?

a. Manifests asterixis
b. Becomes unconscious
c. Has increasing oliguria
d. Impaired computational skills

Answer 1

An early sign of hepatic encephalopathy is asterixis, a neuropsychiatric abnormality arising from liver failure causing lapses in motor control like flapping movements of the hands when extended.

Step-by-step explanation:

The early sign of hepatic encephalopathy that a nurse should recognize is asterixis. This condition is a motor disorder characterized by a lapse in posture due to metabolic encephalopathy. The patient's hand will flap or, often described as a "liver flap," when they try to hold their hand up, which is indicative of hepatic encephalopathy's effects on the central nervous system. The condition is a neuropsychiatric abnormality associated with liver failure, and early signs may include disruptive memory loss, confusion, difficulty with planning and executing tasks, and difficulty in computational skills.