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The client is admitted to the hospital complaining of malaise, abdominal discomfort, and severe diarrhea. The diagnosis is possible Crohn's disease. The client says that he has lost 27 pounds in the last four months even though he has not been dieting. To plan nursing care, which assessment data are most essential for the nurse to obtain?
- A. Approximate number and characteristics of stools each day
- B. Amount of liquid consumed daily
- C. History of previous gastric surgery
- D. Bowel sounds in the right lower quadrant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Frequent stools are characteristic of Crohn’s disease, and their number and characteristics are critical for assessing dehydration and skin breakdown risks.
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The client with acute diverticulitis has a nasogastric tube draining green liquid bile. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Document the findings as normal.
- B. Assess the client's bowel sounds.
- C. Determine the client's last bowel movement.
- D. Insert the NG tube at least two (2) more inches.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Green bile drainage from an NG tube is normal, indicating proper placement and function, so documenting this is appropriate. Further insertion or other assessments are unnecessary unless other symptoms arise.
The nurse is assigned to care for four clients. The nurse should plan to assess which client first?
- A. The client with ascites who is having mild dyspnea with activity
- B. The client with a peptic ulcer who now has severe vomiting
- C. The client who had a colonoscopy and is having diarrheal stools
- D. The client with Crohn’s disease who received an initial dose of certolizumab (Cimzia) and is having generalized rashes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: D. The client with Crohn’s disease who received an initial dose of certolizumab (Cimzia) and is having generalized rashes should be attended to first. Generalized rash indicates an allergic reaction. This could develop into an anaphylactic reaction. B. The client with a peptic ulcer who now has severe vomiting should be attended to second. Vomiting in PUD may indicate a complication such as mechanical obstruction from scarring. C. The client who had a colonoscopy and is having diarrheal stools should be attended to third. Diarrhea may have been the indication for the client’s colonoscopy or a side effect of the bowel prep. A. The client with ascites who is having mild dyspnea with activity can be attended to last. The dyspnea is usually due to the enlarged abdomen.
The client diagnosed with IBD is prescribed sulfasalazine (Asulfidine), a sulfonamide antibiotic. Which statement best describes the rationale for administering this medication?
- A. It is administered rectally to help decrease colon inflammation.
- B. This medication slows gastrointestinal (GI) motility and reduces diarrhea.
- C. This medication kills the bacteria causing the exacerbation.
- D. It acts topically on the colon mucosa to decrease inflammation.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sulfasalazine reduces inflammation in IBD by acting topically on the colon mucosa, delivering its active component (mesalamine) to the inflamed areas. It is not primarily an antibiotic, does not slow motility, and is taken orally, not rectally.
The parents of a female toddler bring the child to the pediatrician's office with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Ask the parent about the child's diet.
- B. Assess the child's tissue turgor.
- C. Give the child a sucker if she is good.
- D. Notify the HCP the child is waiting to be seen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing tissue turgor evaluates dehydration, a priority in a toddler with vomiting and diarrhea. Diet history, rewards, and HCP notification follow assessment.
The nurse is admitting the client for a colonoscopy. Which information, if found in the client’s medical record, should the nurse consider as the primary reason for this client’s colonoscopy?
- A. Chronic constipation
- B. Urostomy placed 3 years ago
- C. History of colon polyps
- D. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A. Although a colonoscopy may be performed to evaluate chronic constipation, this is less likely than evaluation of colon polyps. B. A urostomy is used for urinary diversion following bladder cancer; it does not affect the colon. C. Colonoscopy is used in screening and diagnosing colon cancer and for surveillance in persons with prior history of colon cancer or polyps. This is likely the primary reason for a colonoscopy with this client. D. An Hgb of 10 g/dL is slightly low. This could be a reason for a colonoscopy, especially if there is a pattern of low Hgb levels and the stool guaiac test is positive. However, this is less likely the primary reason than evaluation of colon polyps.