NCLEX Questions on Gastrointestinal System

NCLEX Questions on Gastrointestinal System Related

Review NCLEX Questions on Gastrointestinal System related questions and content

The patient has hepatic encephalopathy. What is a priority nursing intervention to keep the patient safe?

  • A. Turn the patient every 3 hours.
  • B. Encourage increasing ambulation.
  • C. Assist the patient to the bathroom.
  • D. Prevent constipation to reduce ammonia production.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Prevent constipation to reduce ammonia production. In hepatic encephalopathy, the liver is unable to metabolize ammonia, leading to its accumulation and brain dysfunction. Preventing constipation helps reduce the production of ammonia by promoting regular bowel movements. This is crucial in managing hepatic encephalopathy to prevent worsening of symptoms and improve patient safety.

A: Turning the patient every 3 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not directly related to managing hepatic encephalopathy.
B: Encouraging increasing ambulation may be beneficial for overall patient health but does not directly address the priority of reducing ammonia production in hepatic encephalopathy.
C: Assisting the patient to the bathroom is important for maintaining hygiene and comfort but does not address the underlying issue of reducing ammonia production in hepatic encephalopathy.

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This blind tube is about 9 cm long, is filled with lymph nodules and attaches to the cecum. This blind tube is called the

  • A. epiploic appendix.
  • B. haustra.
  • C. vermiform appendix.
  • D. tenia coli.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: vermiform appendix. The vermiform appendix is a blind tube, around 9 cm long, filled with lymph nodules, and attaches to the cecum. This anatomical description matches the characteristics of the vermiform appendix. The epiploic appendix (choice A) refers to small fatty projections on the colon's surface, not a blind tube. Haustra (choice B) are the pouches along the colon's length, not a blind tube. Tenia coli (choice D) are the three bands of longitudinal muscle in the colon, not a blind tube. Therefore, the vermiform appendix is the correct answer.

What instruction should be given to a client scheduled for a gallbladder series test?

  • A. To remain on a low-residue diet 1 to 2 days before the test
  • B. To take a laxative the evening before the test
  • C. Not to eat or drink until the test is complete
  • D. To take cleansing enemas the morning of the test
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client scheduled for a gallbladder series test is not to eat or drink until the test is complete. This is because the test requires fasting to ensure clear visualization of the gallbladder and surrounding structures. Eating or drinking could interfere with the results by causing gallbladder contraction or obscuring the images.

A) Instructing the client to remain on a low-residue diet is not necessary for this specific test and may not provide the required fasting.
B) Taking a laxative or cleansing enemas is not typically required for a gallbladder series test and can be unnecessary and may even be harmful.

Glucose absorption from the small intestine is by:

  • A. Simple passive diffusion.
  • B. Sodium-glucose co-transport system.
  • C. Osmosis.
  • D. Primary active transport.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sodium-glucose co-transport system. This system involves the active transport of glucose across the small intestine epithelial cells with the help of sodium ions. This mechanism allows for the absorption of glucose against its concentration gradient, ensuring efficient uptake. Other choices are incorrect because: A) Simple passive diffusion is not efficient for glucose absorption due to its hydrophilic nature. C) Osmosis is the movement of water molecules, not glucose. D) Primary active transport involves the direct use of energy to transport molecules, which is not the case for glucose absorption in the small intestine.

The _____ prevents food from entering the small intestine.

  • A. cardiac sphincter
  • B. pyloric valve
  • C. ileo-colic valve
  • D. sphincter of Oddi
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: pyloric valve. The pyloric valve is located between the stomach and the small intestine, specifically at the junction of the stomach and the duodenum. Its main function is to regulate the flow of partially digested food from the stomach into the small intestine. This control is crucial to ensure that the small intestine receives food at a manageable rate for optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients. The cardiac sphincter (A) is located at the entrance of the stomach from the esophagus and prevents acid reflux. The ileo-colic valve (C) is located between the small and large intestines, controlling the flow of contents between them. The sphincter of Oddi (D) regulates the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the small intestine.

A 40-year-old severely obese female patient with type 2 diabetes wants to lose weight. After learning about the surgical procedures

  • A. she thinks a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive surgery would be best. Which procedure should the nurse teach her about?
  • B. Lipectomy
  • C. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
  • D. Adjustable gastric banding
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lipectomy. This procedure involves the removal of excess fat tissue, which can help the patient achieve weight loss. In contrast, options C and D are bariatric surgeries, which are not solely focused on fat removal and may not be suitable for this patient given her age and medical history. Option A, a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive surgery, may pose higher risks for complications in a severely obese patient with diabetes. Lipectomy is a more targeted and less invasive approach to weight loss, making it the most appropriate choice in this scenario.

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