A 25-yr-old male patient calls the clinic reporting diarrhea for 24 hours. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Inform the patient that testing of blood and stools will be neede
- C. Suggest that the patient drink clear liquid fluids with electrolytes.
- D. Ask the patient to describe the stools and any associated symptoms.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because asking the patient to describe the stools and associated symptoms helps the nurse gather important information for assessment. Understanding the frequency, consistency, color, and presence of blood in the stools can help determine the severity and potential causes of diarrhea. This information guides the nurse in deciding the appropriate next steps for care. Option A is incorrect as testing should be based on assessment findings. Option C is premature without assessing the patient first. Option B lacks relevance to the assessment process.
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The liver combines a toxic by-product of amino acid metabolism, ammonia, with another waste product, carbon dioxide, to form the water-soluble ______, which is excreted in the kidneys.
- A. cholesterol
- B. bilirubin
- C. urea
- D. uric acid
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is C: urea. Ammonia is toxic and needs to be converted into a less toxic form for excretion. The liver combines ammonia with carbon dioxide to form urea through the urea cycle. Urea is water-soluble and is excreted by the kidneys in urine. Cholesterol (A) is a lipid molecule, bilirubin (B) is a by-product of heme metabolism, and uric acid (D) is a by-product of purine metabolism. These molecules are not formed from the combination of ammonia and carbon dioxide and are not excreted in the kidneys.
Which of the following is the primary function of the small intestine?
- A. digestion of fats
- B. digestion of carbohydrates
- C. absorption of nutrients
- D. storage of bile
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: absorption of nutrients. The small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream for distribution to the body's cells. It has specialized structures like villi and microvilli to maximize absorption surface area. Choice A is incorrect because while the small intestine does play a role in digesting fats, it is not its primary function. Choice B is incorrect because the digestion of carbohydrates primarily occurs in the mouth and stomach. Choice D is incorrect as the small intestine does not store bile, but rather receives it from the liver and gallbladder to aid in digestion.
What condition should the nurse anticipate when caring for a patient with a history of a total gastrectomy?
- A. Constipation
- B. Dehydration
- C. Elevated total serum cholesterol
- D. Cobalamin (vitamin B ) deficiency
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency. After a total gastrectomy, the patient lacks the intrinsic factor needed for vitamin B12 absorption in the ileum, leading to deficiency. This can result in megaloblastic anemia, neurological symptoms, and fatigue.
A: Constipation is not typically associated with total gastrectomy.
B: Dehydration may occur postoperatively but is not a specific consequence of total gastrectomy.
C: Elevated total serum cholesterol is not a direct effect of total gastrectomy.
Which of the following is not a part of the small intestine?
- A. Duodenum
- B. Jejunum
- C. Ileum
- D. Colon
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Colon. The colon is not a part of the small intestine; it is part of the large intestine. The small intestine consists of three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The duodenum is the first segment of the small intestine, followed by the jejunum and then the ileum. The colon, also known as the large intestine, comes after the small intestine in the digestive system. Therefore, the colon is not a part of the small intestine, making choice D the correct answer.
Where does the digestion of proteins begin?
- A. Mouth
- B. Stomach
- C. Small intestine
- D. Large intestine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stomach. Protein digestion begins in the stomach where the enzyme pepsin is secreted. Pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. This process is aided by the acidic environment of the stomach. In contrast, the mouth primarily starts the digestion of carbohydrates through the enzyme salivary amylase. The small intestine is where further breakdown and absorption of nutrients occur, not the initial digestion of proteins. The large intestine is mainly responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes, not digestion.