Question

The client with cirrhosis is given lactulose which causes diarrhea; the client asks the nurse why it is necessary:

a) To prevent constipation.

b) To reduce ammonia levels and prevent hepatic encephalopathy.

c) To increase appetite.

d) To promote weight loss.

Answer 1

Lactulose is prescribed to clients with cirrhosis to reduce ammonia levels in the blood and prevent hepatic encephalopathy, not merely to prevent constipation, increase appetite, or promote weight loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client with cirrhosis is given lactulose which causes diarrhea; the client asks the nurse why it is necessary. The correct answer is b) To reduce ammonia levels and prevent hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used in the treatment of constipation and hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of liver disease. It works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, softening stools and causing a laxative effect. More importantly, in the case of cirrhosis, lactulose helps trap and expel ammonia from the body. Ammonia is a byproduct of protein digestion which can accumulate to toxic levels in individuals with liver impairment. By causing diarrhea, lactulose effectively reduces blood ammonia concentrations, thereby preventing or treating hepatic encephalopathy, which is a serious and potentially fatal brain disorder caused by an increase in toxins in the bloodstream that are normally removed by the liver.