Physiological Adaptation Q 72

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Nurse Rachel teaches a client who has been recently diagnosed with hepatitis A about untoward signs and symptoms related to Hepatitis that may develop. The one that should be reported immediately to the physician is:

  

     A. Restlessness

     B. Yellow urine

     C. Nausea

     D. Clay-colored stools

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Clay-colored stools

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Clay-colored stools are indicative of hepatic obstruction. Acute HAV infection is typically a self-limited illness characterized by nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort, malaise, anorexia, myalgia, fatigue, and fever. Patients may develop dark urine and pale stools within a week, followed by jaundice, icteric (yellow-tinted) sclera, and pruritus.

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Option A: Restlessness is not a symptom related to hepatitis A. The incubation period usually ranges from 14 to 28 days but can last up to 50 days. The severity of symptoms varies with age and comorbidities, particularly underlying chronic liver disease. Most children with acute HAV infection are asymptomatic.

Option B: One of the symptoms of hepatitis A is dark urine. Patients usually have elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and lambda-glutamyl transpeptidase. These lab abnormalities typically resolve within 1 to 6 weeks following the onset of symptoms.

Option C: Sudden nausea and vomiting are some of the symptoms, but it is not of immediate concern. Extrahepatic manifestations rarely occur but may include pancreatitis, rash, acute kidney injury with interstitial nephritis or glomerulonephritis, pneumonitis, pericarditis, hemolysis, and acute cholecystitis.

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