Question

the nurse administers 30 ml of lactulose for a client with stage 2 hepatic encephalopathy. which assessment finding would indicate the medication is being therapeutic? a an increase in glucose absorption. b a decrease in blood ammonia levels. c a suppression of gut acidification. d a softening in the stools.

Explanation:

Lactulose is used to treat hepatic encephalopathy by reducing blood ammonia levels. It works by acidifying the gut, which traps ammonia and promotes its excretion, not by affecting glucose absorption (A is wrong), it actually acidifies the gut (so C is wrong), and while it can have a laxative effect, the therapeutic goal for hepatic encephalopathy is reducing ammonia, not just stool softening (D is not the primary therapeutic indicator here). So a decrease in blood ammonia levels (B) shows it's therapeutic.

Answer:

B. A decrease in blood ammonia levels