Gastrointestinal Diseases NCLEX Review Questions Related

Review Gastrointestinal Diseases NCLEX Review Questions related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a patient who returns to the floor at lunchtime after undergoing an upper GI (UGI) series. Which action is most important for the nurse to perform first?

  • A. Administer a laxative.
  • B. Educate the patient about the possibility of white stools.
  • C. Offer the patient a small snack.
  • D. Provide oral care.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer a laxative. After an upper GI series, it is important to help the patient eliminate the contrast dye used during the procedure. Administering a laxative will facilitate the removal of the dye from the gastrointestinal tract. This is crucial to prevent any potential complications or adverse effects from the contrast dye.

Explanation for incorrect choices:
B: Educating the patient about the possibility of white stools is not the most immediate concern after an upper GI series. While this information is important for the patient to know, it is not the most urgent action to take.
C: Offering the patient a small snack may be appropriate after the procedure, but ensuring the elimination of the contrast dye through a laxative is more critical.
D: Providing oral care is important for overall patient comfort and hygiene, but it is not the priority immediately following an upper GI series.