GI PrepU quiz

Question 1

the nurse is caring for a client with diarrhea who has been prescribed diphenoxylate with atropine and is observing the client for which adverse effect of this drug?
- bradycardia
- polyuria
- dizziness
- paleness of the face

Answer 1

dizziness

Question 2

the 5-HT3 receptor blocker, palonosetron, is especially suited for administration to which client?
- a 79 year old who is recovering from hip surgery
- a 16 year old experiencing intractable hiccups
- an 8 year old receiving radiation therapy
- a 10 month old experiencing vomiting after chemotherapy

Answer 2

a 10 month old experiencing vomiting after chemotherapy

Question 3

what client circumstance would the use of a bulk-forming laxative be contraindicated?
- acute abdominal pain
- a history of hemorrhoids
- inability to ambulate independently
- currently prescribed vitamin B supplements

Answer 3

acute abdominal pain

Question 4

a client is advised to use a bulk-forming laxative to alleviate constipation. the nurse will recommend:
- psyllium (Metamucil)
- docusate (Colace)
- mineral oil
- milk of magnesia

Answer 4

psyllium (Metamucil)

Question 5

the nurse should educate the client prescribed a stimulant cathartic to be alert for which common adverse effect?
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- rectal bleeding

Answer 5

diarrhea

Question 6

the nurse administers hydroxyzine to a client with nausea. after administration, the nurse should monitor for what adverse effect?
- thrombocytopenia
- palpitations
- hypertonic muscle tone
- dry mouth

Answer 6

dry mouth

Question 7

diphenoxylate with atropine sulfate resolves diarrhea by what mechanism of action?
- decreasing intestinal motility
- absorbing toxins
- binding with fecal material to increase bulk
- inhibiting cellular division in causative bacteria

Answer 7

decreasing intestinal motility

Question 8

all of the following are centrally acting antiemetics EXCEPT:
- phenothiazines
- anticholinergics
- antihistamines
- serotonin (5-HT3) receptor blockers
- absorbents

Answer 8

absorbents

Question 9

a postoperative surgical client, prescribed twice-daily administration of docusate sodium, is concerned about developing diarrhea. what should the nurse teach the client about docusate sodium?
- “this medication will only soften your stools ove rthe next couple of days”
- “you’ll usually have a bowel movement within 2 to 3 hours of taking this”
- “this medication will cause your bowels to contract more strongly than they normally do”
- “this drug will help you pass regular stools while you’re in the hospital, but you should not take it for more than 5 days”

Answer 9

“this medication will only soften your stools over the next couple of days”

Question 10

a community health nurse is conducting a health promotion session with a group from a local senior’s center. the nurse has addressed the issue of laxative overuse in this population. the nurse should highlight what consequence of the overuse of laxatives?
- dependance
- impaired absorption of water-soluble vitamins
- fecal incontinence
- abdominal pain

Answer 10

dependance

Question 11

a nurse is teaching a group of older adults about nonpharmacologic strategies for preventing constipation. the nurse should recommend what practices? select all that apply.
- consuming a high-fiber diet
- reserving at least 8 hours nightly to assure adequate sleep
- drinking 6 to 10 glasses of fluid each day
- engaging in frequent physical exercise
- introducing organic foods into the daily diet

Answer 11

consuming a high-fiber diet, drinking 6 to 10 glasses of fluid each day, engaging in frequent physical exercise

Question 12

the nurse administers loperamide to decrease the number and liquidity of stool by what mechanism?
- absorbing toxins
- decreasing intestinal motility
- binding with fecal material to increase bulk
- blocking the chemoreceptor trigger (CTZ)

Answer 12

decreasing intestinal motility

Question 13

a group of students are reviewing the actions of laxatives on the GI tract. the students demonstrate understanding when they state what about bulk stimulants?
- directly stimulate the nerve plexus in the intestinal wall
- selectively antagonize opioid binding
- allow formation of a slippery coat on the intestinal contents
- increase the fluid in the intestinal contents

Answer 13

increase the fluid in the intestinal contents

Question 14

the nurse has a prescription to administer a saline cathartic to a client who has a history of congestive heart failure (CHF). why is this type of cathartic contraindicated with this client?
- the client is at risk for hypomagnesemia
- the client is at risk for excess fluid volume
- the client is at risk for hypochloremia
- the client is at risk for hyperphosphatemia

Answer 14

the client is at risk for excess fluid volume

Question 15

the nurse should know that lactulose achieves a therapeutic effect by which means?
- decreasing the viscosity of intestinal contents in the duodenum
- irritating the intestinal mucous membrane
- pulling water into the intestinal lumen by osmotic pressure
- relaxing the emuscle tone of the ileocecal valve and anal sphincter

Answer 15

pulling water into the intestinal lumen by osmotic pressure

Question 16

a patient is advised to use a cathartic to relieve constipation. the nurse knows that cathartics include which of the following?
- bulk-forming agents
- surfactants
- stimulants
- lubricants

Answer 16

stimulants

Question 17

the nurse is teaching a client about diphenoxylate with atropine sulfate which has been prescribed for treatment os acute diarrhea. for which adverse effect should the nurse teach the client to anticipate?
- diaphoresis
- bradycardia
- nausea
- increased appetite

Answer 17

nausea

Question 18

a patient who experiences frequent constipation asks the nurse for advice regarding which agent would be best for long-term daily use? the nurse will respond that the best for daily use is which of the following?
- docusate (Colace)
- milk of magnesia
- bisadocyl (Dulcolax)
- mineral oil

Answer 18

docusate (Colace)

Question 19

constipation is a frequent problem. the nurse knows that which of these statements regarding constipation is correct?
- opioid drugs relieve constipation
- dietary fiber causes constipation
- constipation is defined as the absence of dily bowel movements
- constipation is characterized by hard, dry stools

Answer 19

constipation is characterized by hard, dry stools

Question 20

you are preparing to administer a saline cathartic when the patient mentions that they have CHF. you know that saline cathartics are contraindicated for clients with congestive heart failure due to what adverse effect?
- hypomagnesemia
- hypernatremia
- hypochloremia
- hyperphosphatemia

Answer 20

hypernatremia

Question 21

a 75-year-old client is prescribed magnesium hydroxide for constipation. the nurse’s assessment reveals that the client is being treated for rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension. the client is is assisted living and is on a low-sodium diet. before the magnesium hydroxide therapy begins, it will be most important for the nurse to assess the client’s:
- home environment
- diet
- activity level
- medication history

Answer 21

medication history

Question 22

the patient has called the office to see is using bismuth subsalicylate will work to treat simple diarrhea. the nurse knows this will be safe and effective treatment for diarrhea unless the patient has:
- allergy to aspirin
- hypertension
- hypothyroidism
- urinary retention

Answer 22

allergy to aspirin

Question 23

the nurse is conducting a first aid class and informs the class that in case of acute, nonspecific diarrhea in adults where fluid losses are not severe, clients usually only need simple replacement of fluids and electrolytes lost in the stool. the nurse instructs the class to drink how much fluid during the first 24 hours?
- 2 to 3 L of clear liquids
- 1 to 2 L of clear liquids
- 0.5 to 1 L of clear liquids
- 3 to 4 L of clear liquids

Answer 23

2 to 3 L of clear liquids

Question 24

a client reports taking antihistamines to treat nausea. the nurse correctly suspects that the nausea results from what trigger?
- radiation therapy
- drugs
- surgery
- motion sickness

Answer 24

motion sickness

Question 25

a female client is receiving chemotherapy to treat her cancer. several antiemetics have been prescribed, and each has been unsuccessful in treating her nausea and vomiting. the health care provider chooses to prescribe what cannabinoid drug to manage her symptoms?
- scopolamine
- fosaprepitant
- ondansetron
- dronabinol

Answer 25

dronabinol

Question 26

the nurse is conducting a pre-colonoscopy class and knows that polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution will be contraindicated for the client with which condition?
- chronic constipation
- colitis
- GERD
- oral stimulants

Answer 26

colitis

Question 27

the nurse is caring for a 19-month-old child who has been hospitalized with dehydration secondary to nausea and vomiting. the nurse is aware that promethazine will not be used for this client because it can cause what in children under the age of 2?
- fatal hypovolemia secondary to hemorrhage
- life-threatening cardiac arrythmias
- fatal respiratory depression
- fatal hypertension and subsequent cerebral vascular accident

Answer 27

fatal respiratory depression

Question 28

a male client has been receiving promethazine for nausea that occurred following chemotherapy. recently it has been discovered that this client has developed lover dysfunction. the nurse anticipates that the health care provider will do what to treat this client’s nausea?
- use an alternative medication
- increase the dose of the medication
- decrease the dose of the medication
- maintain the current dose of the medication

Answer 28

use an alternative medication

Question 29

a middle-aged client, frustrated by increasingly frequent episodes of constipation, is highly reluctant to take medications. what nonpharmacologic measure should the nurse recommend?
- adoption of a low-fat diet
- use of a fiber supplement
- daily consumption of 6 to 8 L of fluids
- use of a ginger or ginseng supplement

Answer 29

use of a fiber supplement

Question 30

a newly admitted 58-year-old client has a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and chronic liver failure. the health care provider suspects the client has hepatic encephalopathy. the client tells reports not having a bowel movement in 5 days. what laxative can this client take to lower serum ammonia levels?
- docusate sodium
- polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution
- lactulose
- sorbitol

Answer 30

lactulose

Question 31

a 1 year old child is experiencing diarrhea. what should the parents be instructed to administer?
- oral rehydration solutions
- diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
- octreotide (Sandostatin)
- psyllium (Metamucil)

Answer 31

oral rehydration solutions

Question 32

a nurse is preparing to administer hydroxyzine to the nauseated client. which is included in the teaching plan about the medication?
- “the medication may make you feel more alert, like coffee”
- “the drug will aid in making you feel less nauseated by stimulating your intestines”
- “this medication will help with nausea by making you drowsy”
- “i will mix this medication with applesauce to help you feel better”

Answer 32

“this medication will help with the nausea by making you drowsy”

Question 33

the nurse should counsel a client to disscontinue use of OTC antidiarrheals and seek treatment from a health care provider if diarrhea persists for how long? - 2 days
- 1 day
- 7 days
- 12 hours

Answer 33

2 days

Question 34

the client has been prescribed diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) for diarrhea. the nurse recognizes that this drug is effective against diarrhea because of which action?
- slows peristalsis by acting on the smooth muscles of the intestine
- anti-inflammatory effects by allowing absorption of fluids
- antimicrobial effects
- decreases GI secretions

Answer 34

slows peristalsis by acting on the smooth muscles of the intestines