Nokea
A patient has come to the clinic complaining of pain just above her umbilicus. When assessing the patient, the nurse notes Sister Mary Josephs nodules. The nurse should refer the patient to the primary care provider to be assessed for what health problem?
- A. A GI malignancy
- B. Dumping syndrome
- C. Peptic ulcer disease
- D. Esophageal/gastric obstruction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Palpable nodules around the umbilicus, called Sister Mary Josephs nodules, are a sign of a GI malignancy, usually a gastric cancer. This would not be a sign of dumping syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, or esophageal/gastric obstruction.
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A patient with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease has just been prescribed omeprazole (Prilosec). How should the nurse best describe this medications therapeutic action?
- A. This medication will reduce the amount of acid secreted in your stomach.
- B. This medication will make the lining of your stomach more resistant to damage.
- C. This medication will specifically address the pain that accompanies peptic ulcer disease.
- D. This medication will help your stomach lining to repair itself.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec inhibit the synthesis of stomach acid. PPIs do not increase the durability of the stomach lining, relieve pain, or stimulate tissue repair.
A patient has just been diagnosed with acute gastritis after presenting in distress to the emergency department with abdominal symptoms. What would be the nursing care most needed by the patient at this time?
- A. Teaching the patient about necessary nutritional modification
- B. Helping the patient weigh treatment options
- C. Teaching the patient about the etiology of gastritis
- D. Providing the patient with physical and emotional support
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For acute gastritis, the nurse provides physical and emotional support and helps the patient manage the symptoms, which may include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and fatigue. The scenario describes a newly diagnosed patient; teaching about the etiology of the disease, lifestyle modifications, or various treatment options would be best provided at a later time.
A nurse caring for a patient who has had bariatric surgery is developing a teaching plan in anticipation of the patients discharge. Which of the following is essential to include?
- A. Drink a minimum of 12 ounces of fluid with each meal.
- B. Eat several small meals daily spaced at equal intervals.
- C. Choose foods that are high in simple carbohydrates.
- D. Sit upright when eating and for 30 minutes afterward.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Due to decreased stomach capacity, the patient must consume small meals at intervals to meet nutritional requirements while avoiding a feeling of fullness and complications such as dumping syndrome. The patient should not consume fluids with meals and low-Fowlers positioning is recommended during and after meals. Carbohydrates should be limited.
A community health nurse is preparing for an initial home visit to a patient discharged following a total gastrectomy for treatment of gastric cancer. What would the nurse anticipate that the plan of care is most likely to include?
- A. Enteral feeding via gastrostomy tube (G tube)
- B. Gastrointestinal decompression by nasogastric tube
- C. Periodic assessment for esophageal distension
- D. Monthly administration of injections of vitamin B12
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Since vitamin B12 is absorbed in the stomach, the patient requires vitamin B12 replacement to prevent pernicious anemia. A gastrectomy precludes the use of a G tube. Since the stomach is absent, a nasogastric tube would not be indicated. As well, this is not possible in the home setting. Since there is no stomach to act as a reservoir and fluids and nutrients are passing directly into the jejunum, distension is unlikely.
A patient is recovering in the hospital following gastrectomy. The nurse notes that the patient has become increasingly difficult to engage and has had several angry outbursts at various staff members in recent days. The nurses attempts at therapeutic dialogue have been rebuffed. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Ask the patients primary care provider to liaise between the nurse and the patient.
- B. Delegate care of the patient to a colleague.
- C. Limit contact with the patient in order to provide privacy.
- D. Make appropriate referrals to services that provide psychosocial support.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should enlist the services of clergy, psychiatric clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists, if needed. This is preferable to delegating care, since the patient has become angry with other care providers as well. It is impractical and inappropriate to expect the primary care provider to act as a liaison. It would be inappropriate and unsafe to simply limit contact with the patient.