Hinkle 41 Flashcards
- A nurse is working with a client who has chronic constipation. What should be included
in client teaching to promote normal bowel function?
A. Use glycerin suppositories on a regular basis.
B. Limit physical activity in order to promote bowel peristalsis.
C. Consume high-residue, high-fiber foods.
D. Resist the urge to defecate until the urge becomes intense.
ANS: C
Rationale: Goals for the client include restoring or maintaining a regular pattern of
elimination by responding to the urge to defecate, ensuring adequate intake of fluids and
high-fiber foods, learning about methods to avoid constipation, relieving anxiety about
bowel elimination patterns, and avoiding complications. Ongoing use of pharmacologic
aids should not be promoted, due to the risk of dependence. Increased mobility helps to
maintain a regular pattern of elimination. The urge to defecate should be heeded.
The nurse is assessing a client who had an ileostomy created three days ago for the
treatment of irritable bowel disease. The nurse observes that the client’s stoma is bright
red and there are scant amounts of blood on the stoma. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Contact the care provider to have the client’s hemoglobin and hematocrit
measured.
B. Document these expected assessment findings.
C. Apply barrier ointment to the stoma as prescribed.
D. Cleanse the stoma with alcohol or chlorhexidine
ANS: B
Rationale: Redness and slight bleeding are expected, so no further intervention or
assessment is likely necessary.
A client admitted with acute diverticulitis has experienced a sudden increase in
temperature and reports a sudden onset of exquisite abdominal tenderness. The nurse’s
rapid assessment reveals that the client’s abdomen is uncharacteristically rigid on
palpation. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. Administer a Fleet enema as prescribed and remain with the client.
B. Contact the primary care provider promptly and report these signs of
perforation.
C. Position the client supine and insert an NG tube.
D. Page the primary provider and report that the client may be obstructed
ANS: B
Rationale: The client’s change in status is suggestive of perforation, which is a surgical
emergency. Obstruction does not have this presentation involving fever and abdominal
rigidity. An enema would be strongly contraindicated. An order is needed for NG insertion
and repositioning is not a priority
A 35-year-old client presents at the emergency department with symptoms of a small
bowel obstruction. In collaboration with the primary care provider, what intervention
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Insertion of a nasogastric tube
B. Insertion of a central venous catheter
C. Administration of a mineral oil enema
D. Administration of a glycerin suppository and an oral laxative
ANS: A
Rationale: Decompression of the bowel through a nasogastric tube is necessary for all
clients with small bowel obstruction. Peripheral IV access is normally sufficient. Enemas,
suppositories, and laxatives are not indicated if an obstruction is present.
A client is admitted to the medical unit with a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. When
planning this client’s care, which of the following nursing diagnoses should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Ineffective tissue perfusion related to bowel ischemia
B. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements related to impaired
absorption
C. Anxiety related to bowel obstruction and subsequent hospitalization
D. Impaired skin integrity related to bowel obstruction
ANS: A
Rationale: When the bowel is completely obstructed, the possibility of strangulation and
tissue necrosis (i.e., tissue death) warrants surgical intervention. As such, this
immediate physiologic need is a nursing priority. Nutritional support and management
of
anxiety are necessary, but bowel ischemia is a more immediate threat. Skin integrity is
not threatened.
A nurse is presenting an educational event to a local community group. When speaking
about colorectal cancer, what risk factor should the nurse cite?
A. High levels of alcohol consumption
B. History of bowel obstruction
C. History of diverticulitis
D. Longstanding psychosocial stress
ANS: A
Rationale: Risk factors include high alcohol intake; cigarette smoking; and high-fat,
high-protein, low-fiber diet. Diverticulitis, obstruction, and stress are not noted as risk
factors for colorectal cancer.
A client’s screening colonoscopy revealed the presence of numerous polyps in the large
bowel. What principle should guide the subsequent treatment of this client’s health
problem?
A. Adherence to a high-fiber diet will help the polyps resolve.
B. The client should be assured that this is a normal, age-related physiologic
change.
C. The client’s polyps constitute a risk factor for cancer.
D. The presence of polyps is associated with an increased risk of bowel obstruction
ANS: C
Rationale: Although most polyps do not develop into invasive neoplasms, they must be
identified and followed closely. They are very common, but are not classified as a normal,
age-related physiologic change. Diet will not help them resolve and they do not typically
lead to obstructions.
A nurse is conducting health screening with a diverse group of clients. Which client
likely has the most risk factors for developing hemorrhoids?
A. A 45-year-old teacher who stands for 6 hours per day
B. A pregnant woman at 28 weeks’ gestation
C. A 37-year-old construction worker who does heavy lifting
D. A 60-year-old professional who is under stress
ANS: B
Rationale: Hemorrhoids commonly affect 50% of clients after the age of 50. Pregnancy
may initiate hemorrhoids or aggravate existing ones. This is due to increased
constipation during pregnancy. The significance of pregnancy is greater than that of
standing, lifting, or stress in the development of hemorrhoids.
An older adult who resides in an assisted living facility has sought care from the nurse
because of recurrent episodes of constipation. Which of the following actions should the
nurse first perform?
A. Encourage the client to take stool softener daily.
B. Assess the client’s food and fluid intake.
C. Assess the client’s surgical history.
D. Encourage the client to take fiber supplements.
ANS: B
Rationale: The nurse should follow the nursing process and perform an assessment prior
to interventions. The client’s food and fluid intake is more likely to affect bowel function
than surgery
A 16-year-old presents at the emergency department reporting right lower quadrant
pain and is subsequently diagnosed with appendicitis. When planning this client’s nursing
care, the nurse should prioritize what nursing diagnosis?
A. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements related to decreased oral
intake
B. Risk for infection related to possible rupture of appendix
C. Constipation related to decreased bowel motility and decreased fluid intake
D. Chronic pain related to appendicitis
ANS: B
Rationale: The client with a diagnosis of appendicitis has an acute risk of infection related
to the possibility of rupture. This immediate physiologic risk is a priority over nutrition
and constipation, though each of these concerns should be addressed by the nurse. The
pain associated with appendicitis is acute, not chronic.
A nurse is talking with a client who is scheduled to have a hemicolectomy with the
creation of a colostomy. The client admits to being anxious, and has many questions
concerning the surgery, the care of a stoma, and necessary lifestyle changes. What
nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Reassure the client that the procedure is relatively low risk and that clients are
usually successful in adjusting to an ostomy.
B. Provide the client with educational materials that match the client’s learning
style.
C. Encourage the client to write down these concerns and questions to bring
forward to the surgeon.
D. Maintain an open dialogue with the client and facilitate a referral to the
wound-ostomy-continence (WOC) nurse.
ANS: D
Rationale: A wound-ostomy-continence (WOC) nurse is a registered nurse who has
received advanced education in an accredited program to care for clients with stomas.
The enterostomal nurse therapist can assist with the selection of an appropriate stoma
site, teach about stoma care, and provide emotional support. The surgeon is less likely to
address the client’s psychosocial and learning needs. Reassurance does not address the
client’s questions, and education may or may not alleviate anxiety.
The nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing diagnostic testing for suspected
malabsorption. When taking this client’s health history and performing the physical
assessment, the nurse should recognize what finding as most consistent with this
diagnosis?
A. Recurrent constipation coupled with weight loss
B. Foul-smelling diarrhea that contains fat
C. Fever accompanied by a rigid, tender abdomen
D. Bloody bowel movements accompanied by fecal incontinence
ANS: B
Rationale: The hallmarks of malabsorption syndrome from any cause are diarrhea or
frequent, loose, bulky, foul-smelling stools that have increased fat content and are often
grayish (steatorrhea). Constipation and bloody bowel movements are not suggestive of
malabsorption syndromes. Fever and a tender, rigid abdomen are associated with
peritonitis.
A nurse caring for a client with a newly created ileostomy assesses the client and
notes that the client has not had ostomy output for the past 12 hours. The client also
reports worsening nausea. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Facilitate a referral to the wound-ostomy-continence (WOC) nurse.
B. Report signs and symptoms of obstruction to the health care provider.
C. Encourage the client to mobilize in order to enhance motility.
D. Contact the health care provider and obtain a swab of the stoma for culture.
ANS: B
Rationale: It is important to report nausea and abdominal distention, which may indicate
intestinal obstruction. This requires prompt medical intervention. Referral to the WOC
nurse is not an appropriate short-term response, since medical treatment is necessary.
Physical mobility will not normally resolve an obstruction. There is no need to collect a
culture from the stoma because infection is unrelated to this problem.
A nurse is providing care for a client who has a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS). When planning this client’s care, the nurse should collaborate with the client and
prioritize what goal?
A. Client will accurately identify foods that trigger symptoms.
B. Client will demonstrate appropriate care of his ileostomy.
C. Client will demonstrate appropriate use of standard infection control
precautions.
D. Client will adhere to recommended guidelines for mobility and activity.
ANS: A
Rationale: A major focus of nursing care for the client with IBS is to identify factors that
exacerbate symptoms. Surgery is not used to treat this health problem and infection
control is not a concern that is specific to this diagnosis. Establishing causation likely is
more important to the client than managing physical activity.
A client has been experiencing disconcerting GI symptoms that have been worsening
in severity. Following medical assessment, the client has been diagnosed with lactose
intolerance. The nurse should recognize an increased need for what form of health
promotion?
A. Annual screening colonoscopies
B. Adherence to recommended immunization schedules
C. Regular blood pressure monitoring
D. Frequent screening for osteoporosis
ANS: D
Rationale: Persons with lactose intolerance often experience hypocalcemia and a
consequent risk of osteoporosis related to malabsorption of calcium. Lactose intolerance
does not create an increased need for screening for colorectal cancer, immunizations, or
blood pressure monitoring.
