Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions

Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Related

Review Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions related questions and content

Before administering an intermittent tube feeding through a nasogastric tube, the nurse assesses for gastric residual. The nurse understands that this procedure is important to

  • A. Confirm proper nasogastric tube placement.
  • B. Observe gastric contents.
  • C. Assess fluid and electrolyte status.
  • D. Evaluate absorption of the last feeding.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (D): By assessing for gastric residual before administering another feeding through the nasogastric tube, the nurse can evaluate absorption of the last feeding. If there is a significant amount of residual, it may indicate poor absorption, which could lead to complications such as aspiration. This assessment helps in determining the appropriate timing and amount of the next feeding to prevent complications.

Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Confirming proper nasogastric tube placement is typically done using other methods like pH testing or X-ray. This assessment does not directly relate to evaluating absorption.
B: Observing gastric contents may provide information about the patient's gastric secretions but does not specifically help in evaluating the absorption of the last feeding.
C: Assessing fluid and electrolyte status is important but not the primary purpose of checking gastric residual before administering a feeding. This assessment is more focused on monitoring the patient's overall hydration and electrolyte balance.

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The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse expect to note if the client indeed has appendicitis?

  • A. Leukopenia with a shift to the right
  • B. Leukocytosis with a shift to the right
  • C. Leukocytosis with a shift to the left
  • D. Leukopenia with a shift to the left
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Leukocytosis with a shift to the left. In acute appendicitis, the body responds with an increase in white blood cells (leukocytosis) as a sign of infection. A shift to the left indicates an increase in immature neutrophils, which is a common response to acute bacterial infections like appendicitis. Leukopenia (choices A and D) would not be expected in appendicitis. Leukopenia is a decrease in white blood cells, which is not typical in an acute infection like appendicitis. Leukocytosis with a shift to the right (choice B) could be seen in chronic infections or conditions like leukemia, not in acute appendicitis where a shift to the left is more common due to the rapid response to infection.

A nurse is reviewing the orders of a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Select the interventions that the nurse would expect to be prescribed for the client.

  • A. Small, frequent high-calorie feedings.
  • B. Meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed for pain.
  • C. Place the client in a side-lying position with the head elevated 45-degrees.
  • D. Administer antacids and anticholinergics to suppress gastrointestinal secretions.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed for pain. In acute pancreatitis, pain management is crucial, and Meperidine is commonly used due to its minimal effect on the sphincter of Oddi.

Incorrect options:
A: Small, frequent high-calorie feedings can exacerbate pancreatitis by stimulating pancreatic enzyme secretion.
C: Placing the client in a side-lying position with the head elevated is not a specific intervention for pancreatitis.
D: Administering antacids and anticholinergics is not a standard treatment for pancreatitis and may not address the underlying cause of the condition.

The nurse is assessing a 71-year-old female client with ulcerative colitis. Which assessment finding related to the family will have the greatest impact on the client's rehabilitation after discharge?

  • A. The family's ability to take care of the client's special diet needs
  • B. The family's expectation that the client will resume responsibilities and role-related activities
  • C. Emotional support from the family
  • D. The family's ability to understand the ups and downs of the illness
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because emotional support from the family is crucial for the client's rehabilitation. Emotional support can positively impact the client's mental health, motivation, and adherence to treatment plans. It can also reduce stress and anxiety, which are common in chronic illnesses like ulcerative colitis. Options A and D focus on practical aspects and understanding of the illness, which are important but not as impactful as emotional support. Option B addresses the client's responsibilities, which, while important, may not have as direct an impact on rehabilitation as emotional support.

A nurse is giving dietary instructions to a client who has a new colostomy. The nurse encourages the client to eat foods representing which of the following diets for the first 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively?

  • A. High-protein
  • B. High-carbohydrate
  • C. Low-calorie
  • D. Low-residue
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Low-residue. After colostomy surgery, the bowel needs time to heal. A low-residue diet helps reduce the amount of undigested food passing through the colon, easing digestion and minimizing strain on the stoma. This diet typically includes easily digestible foods like white bread, rice, pasta, and well-cooked vegetables. High-protein (choice A) and high-carbohydrate (choice B) diets can be harder to digest and may cause discomfort. A low-calorie diet (choice C) is not necessary during the initial postoperative period when the focus should be on promoting healing and comfort.

To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a client with hiatal hernia, the nurse should provide which discharge instructions?

  • A. Lie down after meals to promote digestion.
  • B. Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages.
  • C. Take antacids before meals.
  • D. Limit fluids with meals.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages. This is because both coffee and alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux in clients with hiatal hernia.

A: Lying down after meals can actually worsen reflux symptoms by allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
C: Taking antacids before meals may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause of reflux.
D: Limiting fluids with meals can help reduce reflux by not distending the stomach, but it is not as crucial as avoiding coffee and alcohol.

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