Which of these structures prevents food from entering the windpipe?
- A. Epiglottis
- B. Esophageal sphincter
- C. Pyloric sphincter
- D. Lower esophageal sphincter
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Epiglottis. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the opening to the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway. This action ensures that food goes down the esophagus to the stomach. The other choices (B, C, D) are involved in controlling the flow of food in the digestive system at different points, but they do not specifically prevent food from entering the windpipe like the epiglottis does.
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The tunica muscularis in the superior esophagus is made up of ______ muscle.
- A. skeletal
- B. cardiac
- C. smooth
- D. smooth and skeletal
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: skeletal muscle. The superior esophagus contains skeletal muscle in its tunica muscularis, allowing for voluntary control over swallowing. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart, not in the esophagus. Smooth muscle is present in the lower esophagus for involuntary movements. Choice D is incorrect as the superior esophagus does not contain a mix of smooth and skeletal muscle.
How will an obstruction at the ampulla of Vater affect the digestion of all nutrients?
- A. Bile is responsible for emulsification of all nutrients and vitamins.
- B. Intestinal digestive enzymes are released through the ampulla of Vater.
- C. Both bile and pancreatic enzymes enter the duodenum at the ampulla of Vater.
- D. Gastric contents can only pass to the duodenum when the ampulla of Vater is open.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The ampulla of Vater is the entry point for both bile and pancreatic enzymes essential for digesting all nutrients.
Priority Decision: Before administering a bolus of intermittent tube feeding to a patient with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), the nurse aspirates 220 mL of gastric contents. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Return the aspirate to the stomach and recheck the volume of aspirate in an hour.
- B. Return the aspirate to the stomach and continue with the tube feeding as planned.
- C. Discard the aspirate to prevent overdistending the stomach when the new feeding is given.
- D. Notify the health care provider that the feedings have been scheduled too frequently to allow for stomach emptying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Returning the aspirate to the stomach and continuing the feeding is standard practice as long as the volume is within safe limits.
Combined with clinical manifestations, what is the laboratory finding that is most commonly used to diagnose acute pancreatitis?
- A. Increased serum calcium
- B. Increased serum amylase
- C. Increased urinary amylase
- D. Decreased serum glucose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Increased serum amylase is a key laboratory finding used to diagnose acute pancreatitis.
You are caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which task can be delegated to the experienced nursing assistant?
- A. Remove the NG tube per physician order.
- B. Secure the tape if the client accidentally dislodges the tube.
- C. Disconnect the suction to allow ambulation to the toilet.
- D. Reconnect the suction after the client has ambulated.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Securing the tape is a non-invasive task within the scope of a nursing assistant. Removing or reconnecting requires nursing assessment and should be done by licensed staff.