Bowel Elimination

Question 1

The nurse knows that most nutrients are absorbed in which portion of the digestive
tract?

Answer 1

Duodenum

Question 2

The nurse would expect the least formed stool to be present in which portion of the
digestive tract?

Answer 2

Ascending

Question 3

Which of the following is not a function of the large intestine?

Answer 3

Absorbing nutrients

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who is confined to the bed. The nurse asks the patient if
he needs to have a bowel movement 30 minutes after eating a meal because

Answer 4

Mastication triggers the digestive system to begin peristalsis.

Question 5

A nurse is assisting a patient in making dietary choices that promote healthy bowel
elimination. Which menu option should the nurse recommend?

Answer 5

Grape and walnut chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat bread

Question 6

A patient informs the nurse that she was using laxatives three times daily to lose weight.
After stopping use of the laxative, the patient had difficulty with constipation and wonders if she
needs to take laxatives again. The nurse educates the patient that

Answer 6

Long-term laxative use causes the bowel to become less responsive to stimuli, and
constipation may occur.

Question 7

A patient with a hip fracture is having difficulty defecating into a bed pan while lying in
bed. Which action by the nurse would assist the patient in having a successful bowel movement?

Answer 7

Raising the head of the bed

Question 8

Which patient is most at risk for increased peristalsis?

Answer 8

A 21-year-old patient with three final examinations on the same day

Question 9

A patient expresses concerns over having black stool. The fecal occult test is negative.
Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Answer 9

“Do you take iron supplements?”

Question 10

Which physiological change can cause a paralytic ileus?

Answer 10

Surgery for Crohn’s disease and anesthesia

Question 11

Fecal impactions occur in which portion of the colon?

Answer 11

Rectum

Question 12

The nurse provides knows that a bowel elimination schedule would be most beneficial
in the plan of care for which patient?

Answer 12

A 70-year-old patient with stool incontinence

Question 13

Which nursing intervention is most effective in promoting normal defecation for a
patient who has muscle weakness in the legs that prevents ambulation?

Answer 13

Use a mobility device to place the patient on a bedside commode.

Question 14

The nurse is devising a plan of care for a patient with the nursing diagnosis of
Constipation related to opioid use. Which of the following outcomes would the nurse evaluate as
successful for the patient to establish normal defecation?

Answer 14

The patient reports eliminating a soft, formed stool.

Question 15

The nurse is emptying an ileostomy pouch for a patient. Which assessment finding
would the nurse report immediately?

Answer 15

Presence of blood in the stool

Question 16

The nurse would anticipate which diagnostic examination for a patient with black tarry
stools?

Answer 16

Upper endoscopy

Question 17

The nurse has attempted to administer a tap water enema for a patient with fecal
impaction with no success. What is the next priority nursing action?

Answer 17

Donning gloves for digital removal of the stool

Question 18

The nurse should question which order?

Answer 18

A Kayexalate enema for a patient with hypokalemia

Question 19

The nurse is preparing to perform a fecal occult blood test. The nurse plans to properly
perform the examination by

Answer 19

Reporting any abnormal findings to the provider.

Question 20

A nurse is preparing a patient for a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Which nursing
action is most important?

Answer 20

Removing all of the patient’s metallic jewelry

Question 21

After a patient returns from a barium swallow, the nurse’s priority is to

Answer 21

Encourage the patient to increase fluids to flush out the barium.

Question 22

While a cleansing enema is administered to an 80-year-old patient, the patient
expresses the urge to defecate. What is the next priority nursing action?

Answer 22

Positioning the patient in the dorsal recumbent position with a bed pan

Question 23

A nurse is educating a patient on how to irrigate an ostomy bag. Which statement by
the patient indicates the need for further instruction?

Answer 23

“I can use a fleet enema to save money because it contains the same irrigation
solution.”

Question 24

A patient is diagnosed with a bowel obstruction. The nurse chooses which type of tube
for gastric decompression?

Answer 24

Salem sump

Question 25

A patient had an ileostomy surgically placed 2 days ago. Which diet would the nurse
recommend to the patient to ease the transition of the new ostomy?

Answer 25

Turkey meatloaf with white rice and apple juice

Question 26

A nurse is pouching an ostomy on a patient with an ileostomy. Which action by the
nurse is most appropriate?

Answer 26

Selecting a pouch that is able to hold excess output to reduce the frequency of
pouch emptying

Question 27

The nurse knows that the ideal time to change an ostomy pouch is

Answer 27

Before eating a meal, when the patient is comfortable.

Question 28

The nurse administers a cathartic to a patient. The nurse determines that the cathartic
has had a therapeutic effect when the patient

Answer 28

Has a bowel movement.

Question 29

An older adult’s perineal skin appears to be dry and thin with mild excoriation. When
providing hygiene after a bowel movement, the nurse should

Answer 29

Apply a skin protective lotion after perineal care.

Question 30

Which nursing action best reduces risk of excoriation to the mucosal lining of the nose
from a nasogastric tube?

Answer 30

Lubricating the nares with water-soluble lubricant

Question 31

A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who is going home with a guaiac
test. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further education?

Answer 31

“If I get a positive result, I have gastrointestinal bleeding.”