GI ANAPHY and Colon Cancer Flashcards
What organ is primarily responsible for water absorption?
a) pancreas
b) esophagus
c) large intestine
d) stomach
e) anus
c) large intestine
What is the primary characteristic of haustra in the colon?
a) Source of colon hormones
b) Strips of muscle in the colon
c) Expansible pouches of the colon
d) Glands in the large intestine that secrete mucus
Answer:
c) Expansible pouches of the colon
Rationale:
Haustra in the colon are expansible pouches resulting from the contraction of the teniae coli, facilitating the segmentation and mixing of colonic contents. This characteristic aids in the absorption of water and electrolytes from undigested material as it progresses through the large intestine.
What is the primary characteristic of the taenia coli?
a) longitudinal bands of smooth muscle in the colon wall
b) ridges in the mucosa of the colon
c) polyps that obstruct the sigmoid colon
d) tears of the colon
Answer:
a) Longitudinal bands of smooth muscle in the colon wall
Rationale:
These muscle bands play a crucial role in the formation of haustra, the pocketlike structures in the colon. The contractions of the taenia coli create the haustral sacculations, aiding in the segmentation and mixing of colonic contents, which, in turn, facilitates the absorption of water and electrolytes.
Which of the following is not part of the large intestine?
a. Cecum
b. Appendix
c. Ileum
d. Sigmoid colon
Answer: c. Ileum
Rationale:
The ileum is not part of the large intestine; rather, it is the terminal portion of the small intestine.
The large intestine consists of the cecum, appendix, colon (including the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid portions), and rectum. The cecum serves as the beginning of the large intestine, followed by the appendix, which is a small, finger-like projection from the cecum.
What is the wormlike structure connected to the posteromedial surface of the cecum?
a) Pancreas
b) Haustra
c) Gallbladder
d) Appendix
Answer:
d) Appendix
Rationale:
The appendix is a small, wormlike structure attached to the posteromedial surface of the cecum. This anatomical feature serves a role in the immune system, and its specific function is not entirely clear.
In cases of appendicitis, inflammation of the appendix, surgical removal (appendectomy) is often necessary to prevent complications.
The functions of the large intestine include all of the following except:
a. Elimination of waste
b. Absorption of water and electrolytes
c. Absorption of nutrients
d. Production of vitamins
Answer:
c. Absorption of nutrients
Rationale:
While the large intestine plays a crucial role in eliminating waste, absorbing water and electrolytes;
and producing certain vitamins through gut microbiota, it is not a primary site for nutrient absorption.
Nutrient absorption, including sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, mainly occurs in the small intestine.
The pocketlike sacs of the large intestine are called:
a. Teniae coli
b. Haustra
c. Epiploic appendages
d. Cecae
Answer:
b. Haustra
Rationale:
Haustra are pocketlike sacs in the large intestine formed by the contraction of the teniae coli. These structures aid in the mixing and propulsion of fecal material, facilitating the absorption of water and electrolytes.
Which of the following reflexes are we able to voluntarily control?
a. Gastroileal reflex
b. Gastrocolic reflex
c. Enterogastric reflex
d. Defecation reflex
Answer:
d. Defecation reflex
Rationale:
The defecation reflex is unique as it involves both involuntary and voluntary components. While the initial stretch reflex triggering the urge to defecate is involuntary, the decision to allow or inhibit the defecation process is under voluntary control, allowing individuals to choose an appropriate time and place for bowel movements.
Mass movement in the large intestine is initiated by the:
a. Gastroileal reflex
b. Gastrocolic reflex
c. Enterogastric reflex
d. Defecation reflex
Answer:
b. Gastrocolic reflex
Rationale:
The gastrocolic reflex initiates mass movements in the large intestine, triggered by the presence of food in the stomach. This reflex increases colon contractions, facilitating the movement of fecal material toward the rectum and contributing to the sensation of the need to defecate.
While conducting an interview with a 30-year-old man, the nurse discovers that the patient has a family history of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The nurse will focus on assessing the patient’s understanding of
a. preventing noninfectious hepatitis.
b. treating inflammatory bowel disease.
c. the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
d. the use of antacids and proton pump inhibitors.
C
Rationale:
Individuals with FAP are at a heightened risk of developing numerous polyps in the colon and rectum, significantly increasing the likelihood of colorectal cancer.
After examining a client’s laboratory results, a nurse suspects that a client’s colon cancer has metastasized to the liver. Which values should lead the nurse to make this conclusion?
a. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
b. Elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and Cr (creatinine)
c. Decreased albumin and calcium
d. Elevated WBCs and neutrophils
Answer: A
Rationale: A common site for metastasis of COLORECTAL CANCER is the liver. ALP is an enzyme produced in the bone and liver, and AST is an enzyme produced in the heart and liver. Both are elevated when liver cancer is present.
Elevated BUN and Cr - kidney-related
Decreased albumin and calcium - kidney and poor nutrition
Elevated WBCs and neutro- Acute Inflammatory / infectious process.
A nurse is caring for a client who had surgery for colon cancer, w/c included the creation of a temporary colostomy. The client is 24 hours postsurgery. During an assessment of the client, a nurse notes no stool in the colostomy bag. A review of the client’s medical records indicates that, since surgery, there has not been stool in the bag. Considering this information, the nurse should:
a. Call the doctor immediately to report
b. Reposition the client to the left side
c. Document the findings
d. Administer pain medications
Answer: C
Rationale: There is no need for action other than documentation because the colostomy will begin to produce feces when bowel peristalsis returns.
A client, who had a sigmoid colectomy for colon cancer is instructed at a follow-up clinic visit to take 325 mg of aspirin (Ectorin) per day. A nurse explains to the client that the aspirin will:
a. decrease the surgical pain
b. promote healing of incision
c. prevent the return of cancer in the colon
d. prevent metastasis of the cancer to other areas of the body
Answer: C
Rationale: Focus on the ANTI-INFLAMMATORY properties of aspirin. This eliminates option 2. Also, recall that opioids are the medication of choice for surgical pain followed by NSAIDs. This would eliminate option 1.
For a client with a newly created colostomy, a nurse creates this diagnosis: risk for sexual dysfunction related to body image change. To promote satisfying sexual functioning after ostomy surgery, which recommendation should the nurse make to the client?
a. participate in sexual activity only in a darkened room
b. utilize self-gratification for the majority of sexual needs
c. empty and clean the ostomy pouch immediately before sexual activity
d. utilize only the female superior position for sexual activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Focus on the intervention that would assist the client in coping with the body image change. This would eliminate option 2.
