Question

65. A patient with liver failure and esophageal varices is prescribed to receive vasopressin. What should the nurse realize is the purpose for this medication?

a. To promote portal circulation
b. To reduce ammonia buildup and encephalopathy
c. To constrict vessels causing bleeding in esophageal varices
d. To maintain blood pressure in a patient with hypotension related to bleeding varices

Answer 1

Vasopressin is prescribed to patients with liver failure and esophageal varices primarily to constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding from the varices, not just to maintain blood pressure or address other symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with liver failure and esophageal varices prescribed vasopressin would have the medication administered mainly to constrict vessels causing bleeding in esophageal varices. Vasopressin acts to constrict blood vessels, which can help to decrease the bleeding from the varices. By constricting the blood vessels in the gastroesophageal region, vasopressin reduces the pressure within the varices, helping to manage acute bleeding episodes. This provides a more targeted approach than maintaining blood pressure in patients with hypotension, which is a more general application of vasopressin. While the medication can affect portal circulation and potentially reduce ammonia buildup and encephalopathy as secondary effects, its primary purpose in this context is the vasoconstriction of bleeding varices.