9. A client with acute viral hepatitis has a serum bilirubin of 3.6 mg/dL on admission. A nurse should expect the client to report:
9. A client with acute viral hepatitis has a serum bilirubin of 3.6 mg/dL on admission. A nurse should expect the client to report:
. Dark orange urine.
. Tar-colored bowel movements.
. A high fever for several days.
. Red, irritated eyes.
Test-Taking Tip
Look for an option that could be due to excessive bilirubin: ↑ serum bilirubin resulting in ↑ urine color.
Content Area: Adult Health, Gastrointestinal; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Analysis; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation/Pathophysiology
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Answer 1 is correct because, when total bilirubin is elevated (normal 0 to 0.9 mg/dL), bilirubin is excreted in the urine, which becomes deep orange and foamy. Answer 2 is incorrect because the bowel movements are clay-colored with liver disease. Tar-colored stools would be seen with GI bleeding or iron supplements. Answer 3 is incorrect because, if there are symptoms other than jaundice, they would be flu-like with maybe a fever. Answer 4 is incorrect because, if the eyes were involved, the sclera would be yellow (jaundiced), not red.