NCLEX Questions Gastrointestinal System

NCLEX Questions Gastrointestinal System Related

Review NCLEX Questions Gastrointestinal System related questions and content

To treat a cirrhotic patient with hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose (Cephulac), rifaximin (Xifaxan), and a proton pump inhibitor are ordere The patient's family wants to know why the laxative is ordere What is the best explanation the nurse can give to the patient's family?

  • A. It reduces portal venous pressure.
  • B. It eliminates blood from the GI tract.
  • C. It traps ammonia and eliminates it in the feces.
  • D. It decreases bacteria to decrease ammonia formation.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "It traps ammonia and eliminates it in the feces." In hepatic encephalopathy, excessive ammonia levels lead to neurological symptoms. Lactulose works by acidifying the colon, converting ammonia to ammonium, trapping it, and promoting its excretion in feces. This reduces ammonia absorption, alleviating encephalopathy.

Explanation of other choices:
A: Incorrect. Lactulose does not directly reduce portal venous pressure.
B: Incorrect. Lactulose does not eliminate blood from the GI tract.
D: Incorrect. Lactulose does not directly decrease bacteria to reduce ammonia formation.

In summary, the nurse should explain to the patient's family that lactulose helps by trapping ammonia in the GI tract and facilitating its removal in the feces, thus reducing ammonia levels in the body and improving hepatic encephalopathy symptoms.

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The nurse has completed initial instruction with a patient regarding a weight-loss program. Which patient comment indicates to the nurse that the teaching has been effective?

  • A. I will keep a diary of daily weight to illustrate my weight loss.'
  • B. I plan to lose 4 lb a week until I have lost the 60 lb I want to lose.'
  • C. I should not exercise more than what is required so I don't increase my appetite.'
  • D. I plan to join a behavior modification group to help establish long-term behavior changes.'
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it demonstrates the patient's understanding of the importance of behavior modification for long-term weight loss success. By joining a behavior modification group, the patient shows a commitment to changing habits and lifestyle, which is crucial for sustained weight loss.

Choice A focuses on tracking weight loss progress, which is important but does not necessarily indicate a deep understanding of behavior change. Choice B sets unrealistic weight loss goals that may not be safe or sustainable. Choice C shows a misconception about exercise and appetite, indicating a potential misunderstanding of weight loss principles.

In summary, choice D is correct because it reflects a holistic approach to weight loss that includes addressing behavior patterns, while the other choices either focus on surface-level strategies or misunderstand key concepts related to weight loss.

The nurse is obtaining a history of a patient with hepatitis Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask?

  • A. "If using drugs, do you share needles?"
  • B. "Do you always practice safe sex?"
  • C. "You traveled to Canada in the last month?"
  • D. "Do you eat shellfish often?"
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because consuming contaminated shellfish can lead to Hepatitis A infection. It is important to ask about dietary habits to identify potential sources of infection. Choice A is incorrect as it assumes drug use, which may not be relevant to the patient. Choice B is more focused on sexual behavior rather than Hepatitis transmission. Choice C is irrelevant unless there was a known Hepatitis outbreak in Canada.

Which assessment action will help the nurse determine if an obese patient has metabolic syndrome?

  • A. Take the patient's apical pulse.
  • B. Check the patient's blood pressure.
  • C. Ask the patient about dietary intake.
  • D. Dipstick the patient's urine for protein.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check the patient's blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial in determining if an obese patient has metabolic syndrome, as high blood pressure is one of the key criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Elevated blood pressure is a common feature of metabolic syndrome and is linked to other risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. By checking the patient's blood pressure, the nurse can assess if the patient meets the criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Choice A (Take the patient's apical pulse) is not directly related to diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Choice C (Ask the patient about dietary intake) may provide important information but does not specifically help in diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Choice D (Dipstick the patient's urine for protein) is not a relevant assessment for determining metabolic syndrome.

Cholesterol is a major component of atherosclerotic plaque. Cholesterol carried by ______ is linked to coronary heart disease.

  • A. micelle
  • B. chylomicron
  • C. low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
  • D. high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" because it carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells, leading to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can result in coronary heart disease. Micelles are small lipid structures, not carriers of cholesterol. Chylomicrons are large lipoprotein particles that transport dietary fats, not primarily cholesterol. HDL is known as "good cholesterol" as it helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream back to the liver for excretion, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Where does the majority of chemical digestion in the stomach occur?

  • A. fundus and body
  • B. cardia and fundus
  • C. body and pylorus
  • D. body
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The majority of chemical digestion in the stomach occurs in the fundus and body regions. These areas contain gastric glands that secrete hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen, which break down proteins. The fundus and body also mix and churn food to create chyme. The cardia and pylorus do not play a significant role in chemical digestion. The cardia is the entry point of the stomach and mainly responsible for food entry, while the pylorus regulates the release of chyme into the small intestine. The body region alone does not have as many gastric glands compared to the fundus and is mainly involved in mixing and storing food.

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