GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT Flashcards
A male client with a recent history of rectal bleeding is being
prepared for a colonoscopy. How should the nurse position the client
for this test initially?
a. Lying on the right side with legs straight
b. Lying on the left side with knees bent
c. Prone with the torso elevated
d. Bent over with hands touching the floor
b. Lying on the left side with knees bent
Which diagnostic test would be used first to evaluate a client with
upper GI bleeding?
a. Endoscopy
b. Upper GI series
c. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
d. Arteriography
a. Endoscopy
To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a male client with hiatal
hernia, the nurse should provide which discharge instruction?
a. Lie down after meals for digestion
b. Avoid coffee and alcohol
c. Take antacids with meals
d. Decrease OFI
b. Avoid coffee and alcohol
What laboratory finding is relevant for pancreatitis?
a. Elevated BUN
b. Elevated serum lipase
c. Elevated LDL
d. Elevated serum creatinine
b. Elevated serum lipase
A male client with cholelithiasis has a gallstone lodged in the
common bile duct. When assessing this client, the nurse expects to
note
a. Yellow sclera
b. Light amber urine
c. Pallor
d. Black tarry stools
a. Yellow sclera
Nurse Hannah is teaching a group of middle-aged men about
peptic ulcers. When discussing risk factors for peptic ulcers, the nurse
should mention:
a. Sedentary lifestyle and smoking
b. Hemorrhoids and smoking
c. Alcohol abuse and history of Renal failure
d. Alcohol abuse and smoking
d. Alcohol abuse and smoking
While palpating a female client’s right upper quadrant (RUQ), the
nurse would expect to find which of the following structures?
a. Sigmoid colon
b. Appendix
c. Spleen
d. Liver
d. Liver
A male client has undergone a colon resection. While turning him,
wound dehiscence with evisceration occurs. The nurse’s first response
is to:
a. Call the physician
b. Place saline-soaked sterile dressing on the wound
c. Take BP and pulse rate
d. Pull the dehiscence closed
b. Place saline-soaked sterile dressing on the wound
You’re advising a 21 y.o. with a colostomy who reports problems
with flatus. What food should you recommend?
a. Peas
b. Cabbage
c. Broccoli
d. Yougurt
d. Yougurt
After abdominal surgery, your patient has a severe coughing
episode that causes wound evisceration. In addition to calling the
doctor, which intervention is most appropriate?
a. Irrigate organs with betadine
b. Cover the wound with a saline-soaked sterile dressing
c. Apply a dry sterile dressing and binder
d. Push the organs back with moist and sterile dressing
b. Cover the wound with a saline-soaked sterile dressing
You’re caring for Betty with liver cirrhosis. Which of the following
assessment findings leads you to suspect hepatic encephalopathy in
her?
a. Asterixis
b. Chvostek’s sign
c. Trosseau’s sign
d. Hepatojugular reflex
a. Asterixis
Michael, a 42 y.o. man is admitted to the med-surg floor with a
diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. His BP is 136/76, pulse 96, Resps 22 and
temp 101. His past history includes hyperlipidemia and alcohol abuse.
The doctor prescribes an NG tube. Before inserting the tube, you
explain the purpose to patient. Which of the following is a most
accurate explanation?
a. It empties the stomach of fluids and gas
b. It prevents spasm of the sphincter of oddi
c. It prevents air from forming in the small intestine and large intestine
d. It removes bile from gallbladder
a. It empties the stomach of fluids and gas
Jason, a 22 y.o. accident victim, requires an NG tube for feeding.
What should you immediately do after inserting an NG tube for liquid
enteral feedings?
a. Aspirate for gastric secretions with a syringe
b. Begin feeding slowly to prevent cramping
c. Order an x-ray to check for placement
d. Clamp off the tube until the feedings begin
a. Aspirate for gastric secretions with a syringe
Matt is a 49 y.o. with a hiatal hernia that you are about to counsel.
Health care counseling for Matt should include which of the following
instructions?
a. Restrict intake of high carbohydrate foods
b. Increase fluids with meals
c. Increase fat intake
d. Eat three regular meals per day
b. Increase fluids with meals
Jerod is experiencing an acute episode of ulcerative colitis. Which
is priority for this patient?
a. Increase sodium in the diet
b Monitor for increase in glucose in the blood
c. Restrict dietary intake of potassium
d. Note any change in color and consistency of stools
d. Note any change in color and consistency of stools
Regina is a 46 y.o. woman with ulcerative colitis. You expect her
stools to look like
a. Watery and frothy
b. Bloody and mucous
c. Firm and well-formed
d. Alternating constipation and diarrhea
b. Bloody and mucous
Glenda has cholelithiasis (gallstones). You expect her to complain
of:
a. Pain in the right upper quadrant radiating on the shoulder
b. Pain in the right lower quadrant with rebound tenderness
c. Pain in the left upper quadrant with shortness of breath
d. Pain in the left lower quadrant with mild cramping
a. Pain in the right upper quadrant radiating on the shoulder
Your patient has a GI tract that is functioning, but has the inability
to swallow foods. Which is the preferred method of feeding for your
patient?
a. TPN
b. Regular diet
c. NG feeding
d. Oral liquid supplement
c. NG feeding
Anna is 45 y.o. and has a bleeding ulcer. Despite multiple blood
transfusions, her HGB is 7.5g/dl and HCT is 27%. Her doctor determines
that surgical intervention is necessary and she undergoes partial
gastrectomy. Postoperative nursing care includes:
a. Giving medications for pain q 6hrs
b. Flushing the NGT with sterile water
c. Positioning her in high Fowler’s
d. Keeping her in NPO until peristalsis returns
d. Keeping her in NPO until peristalsis returns
Hepatic encephalopathy develops when the blood level of which
substance increases?
a. Ammonia
b. Amylase
c. Calcium
d. Potassium
a. Ammonia
A patient has a severe exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Long-term
medications will probably include:
a. Antacids
b. Antibiotics
c. Corticosteroids
d. H2-blockers
c. Corticosteroids
