The 85-year-old male client diagnosed with cancer of the colon asks the nurse, 'Why did I get this cancer?' Which statement is the nurse's best response?
- A. Research shows a lack of fiber in the diet can cause colon cancer.
- B. It is not common to get colon cancer at your age; it is usually in young people.
- C. No one knows why anyone gets cancer, it just happens to certain people.
- D. Women usually get colon cancer more often than men but not always.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low dietary fiber is a known risk factor for colon cancer, as it slows bowel transit and increases exposure to carcinogens. Colon cancer is common in older adults, not younger ones, and gender differences are minimal.
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Which problem is most appropriate for the nurse to identify for the client with diarrhea?
- A. Alteration in skin integrity.
- B. Chronic pain perception.
- C. Fluid volume excess.
- D. Ineffective coping.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diarrhea can cause perianal skin breakdown, making alteration in skin integrity the most appropriate problem. Pain is less common, fluid volume is deficient, and coping is secondary.
A child with appendicitis is scheduled for surgery this evening. The nurse enters the room and sees the child's mother starting to place hot, wet washcloths on her daughter's abdomen so that 'she will feel better.' The nurse explains that this action is contraindicated because heat:
- A. can cause the appendix to rupture and cause peritonitis.
- B. can mask symptoms of acute appendicitis.
- C. will increase peristalsis throughout the abdomen.
- D. will arrest progression of the disease.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Heat can increase inflammation and blood flow, risking appendix rupture and peritonitis in appendicitis.
Which problems should the nurse include in the plan of care for the client diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease to observe for physiological complications?
- A. Alteration in bowel elimination patterns.
- B. Knowledge deficit in the causes of ulcers.
- C. Inability to cope with changing family roles.
- D. Potential for alteration in gastric emptying.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Peptic ulcer disease can lead to complications like bleeding or perforation, which alter bowel elimination patterns (e.g., melena or hematochezia). Knowledge deficits and coping issues are psychosocial, and gastric emptying is less commonly affected.
The client is admitted to a medical unit. The client’s medication list includes rifaximin, lactulose, and propranolol. Which assessment should be the nurse’s priority based on the client’s medication list?
- A. Assess the client for a history of PUD.
- B. Assess the client for abdominal pain.
- C. Place the client on airborne precautions.
- D. Assess neurological status and abdominal girth.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A. Antibiotics and acid-reducing medications are expected with the treatment of PUD, but propranolol (Inderal) would not be expected. Although these medications may cue the nurse to further explore a history of PUD, this is not the most likely conclusion. B. There is no indication that the client has abdominal pain, and there isn’t an analgesic on the medication list. C. There is no indication that the client has an infectious condition necessitating airborne precautions. D. All medications listed are used to treat liver cirrhosis and its complications of portal hypertension and hepatic encephalopathy. The antibiotic rifaximin (Xifaxan) and the laxative lactulose (Cephulac) are used for treating hepatic encephalopathy. Thus, assessing the client’s neurological status and measuring abdominal girth are most important.
The experienced nurse is instructing the new nurse. The experienced nurse explains that the definitive diagnosis of PUD involves which test?
- A. A urea breath test
- B. Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy
- C. Barium contrast studies
- D. The string test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A. A urea breath test only tests for the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). B. The gastric mucosa can be visualized with an endoscope. A biopsy is possible to differentiate PUD from gastric cancer and to obtain tissue specimens to identify H. pylori. These are used to make a definitive diagnosis of PUD. C. Barium studies do not provide an opportunity for biopsy and H. pylori testing. D. A urea breath test and a string test only test for the presence of H . pylori.
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