Module 4 - Bowel Function

Question 1

Which question would the nurse ask to gather cues about drug-related issues for bowel elimination?

Answer 1

are you using any herbal supplements

Question 2

Which finding would the nurse categorize as an expected finding for an abdominal assessment?

Answer 2

nonprotruding midline umbilicus

Question 3

Which information would the nurse share with the patient about how blood can be detected in a guaiac test?

Answer 3

the stool sample is exposed to a special chemical that changes color when blood is present

Question 4

Which action by the new nurse while performing an abdominal assessment would cause the charge nurse to intervene?

Answer 4

palpates a pulsating midline mass

Question 5

Which action would the nurse take when performing an abdominal assessment?

Answer 5

palpates the area of pain last

Question 6

Which expected assessment cue would the nurse find upon palpation of the abdomen?

Answer 6

painless

Question 7

Which diagnostic study would help determine whether there is bleeding in the patient’s stomach?

Answer 7

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Question 8

Which information would the nurse include in a teaching session about a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series?

Answer 8

it si a type of radiographic x-ray study

Question 9

Which cues would be anticipated in a patient with flatulence and bloating?

Answer 9

• abdominal tenseness on palpation
• reports passing excessive gas through rectum
• reports of abdominal

Question 10

Which bowel assessment findings would the nurse report as unexpected?

Answer 10

• rebound tenderness present
• steatorrhea
• clay-colored, round stool

Question 11

Which findings would cause the nurse to document “active” bowel sounds?

Answer 11

• gurgling
• soft
• sounds every 5 to 15 seconds
• irregular pattern

Question 12

How long would the nurse auscultate the abdomen before documenting no or absent bowel sounds? Record answer as a whole number. __ minutes

Answer 12

5

Question 13

Which patient requires immediate medical attention?

Answer 13

a patient with a hard, boardlike abdomen

Question 14

Which cue is irrelevant for a patient with a bowel alteration?

Answer 14

type of hypertension

Question 15

The nurse caring for a patient suffering from chronic constipation must be aware of which potential complication?

Answer 15

fecal impaction

Question 16

Which cause is the likely reason a patient on long-term antibiotic therapy is experiencing frequent, foul-smelling diarrhea?

Answer 16

c-diff

Question 17

Which characteristic describes bowel sounds auscultated in a patient with constipation?

Answer 17

fewer than five per minute

Question 18

Which cues suggest bowel alteration due to impaction?

Answer 18

• has not had a bowel movement in 4 days
• has palpable hard fecal mass
• has continuous leakage of liquid stool

Question 19

Which location in the medical record would the nurse check to determine the date of the patient’s last bowel movement?

Answer 19

• graphic chart

Question 20

Which factors could be potential sources of a patient’s flatus?

Answer 20

• history of recent abdominal surgery
• use of bran for fiber
• presence of milk intolerance
• current diet

Question 21

The nurse understands that patients may experience diarrhea due to which causes?

Answer 21

• psychological stress
• anitbiotic use
• enteral nutrition