Melena is an indication of:
- A. upper gastrointestinal bleeding
- B. lower gastrointestinal bleeding
- C. both
- D. neither
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Melena is black, tarry stool resulting from the digestion of blood in the gastrointestinal tract. This typically occurs in the upper GI tract due to the longer transit time, allowing the blood to be digested. Lower GI bleeding usually presents as bright red blood in the stool or maroon-colored stool. Therefore, melena is a specific indicator of upper GI bleeding. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because melena specifically points to upper GI bleeding, not lower GI bleeding or both.
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Which patient is most likely to be diagnosed with short bowel syndrome?
- A. History of ulcerative colitis
- B. Had extensive resection of the ileum
- C. Diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome
- D. Had colectomy performed for cancer of the bowel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Short bowel syndrome occurs most commonly in patients who have had extensive resections of the ileum, as the ileum is responsible for nutrient absorption.
The major part of the aqueous component (other than water) of pancreatic juice is
- A. mucus.
- B. trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, and procarboxypeptidase.
- C. bicarbonate ions.
- D. secretin.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: bicarbonate ions. Pancreatic juice is alkaline to neutralize the acidic chyme entering the small intestine from the stomach. Bicarbonate ions are secreted by pancreatic duct cells and play a major role in maintaining the pH balance. Mucus (choice A) is produced by goblet cells and helps protect the lining of the digestive tract but is not a major component of pancreatic juice. Trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, and procarboxypeptidase (choice B) are pancreatic enzymes, not the major component of the aqueous component. Secretin (choice D) is a hormone that stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate ions but is not a component of pancreatic juice itself.
Which characterizes auscultation of the abdomen?
- A. The presence of borborygmi indicates hyperperistalsis.
- B. The bell of the stethoscope is used to auscultate high-pitched sounds.
- C. High-pitched
- D. rushing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Borborygmi is the sound of hyperperistalsis often heard when the stomach is actively moving food.
A patient is scheduled for biopsy of a painful tongue ulcer. Based on knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer
- A. what should the nurse specifically ask the patient about during a history?
- B. Excessive exposure to sunlight
- C. Recurrent herpes simplex infections
- D. Use of any type of tobacco products
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for oral cancer, so it is crucial to ask the patient about their smoking or chewing habits.
The cardiac or lower gastroesophageal sphincter is composed of ______ muscle and prevents chyme from moving into the
- A. smooth; esophagus
- B. skeletal; esophagus
- C. smooth; duodenum
- D. skeletal; duodenum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: smooth; esophagus. The cardiac sphincter is made of smooth muscle because smooth muscles are involuntary and control the movement of food from the esophagus into the stomach. Skeletal muscles are under voluntary control and are not found in sphincters. Choices C and D are incorrect because the duodenum is part of the small intestine and not relevant to the cardiac sphincter's function.