Deck 32: Assessment of Elimination

Question 1

A client is being admitted for "hematochezia." The nurse would plan to assess for

A) blood in the stool.
B) blood in the urine.
C) large frothy stools.
D) manifestations of malabsorption.

Answer 1

blood in the stool.

Question 2

A client is admitted to the emergency department with severe, colicky pain that radiates to his bladder and scrotum. The nurse assesses these manifestations to be indicative of

A) a kidney stone in the ureter.
B) alcohol-related bladder spasm.
C) pneumaturia.
D) urinary tract infection.

Answer 2

a kidney stone in the ureter.

Question 3

When a client tells the nurse that she recently began experiencing urgency and frequency, the appropriate question for the nurse to ask as part of the psychosocial history is

A) "Are you depressed?"
B) "Have you had a change in lifestyle?"
C) "Have you been experiencing any anxiety?"
D) "How old were you when you were toilet-trained?"

Answer 3

"Have you been experiencing any anxiety?"

Question 4

The nurse explains that a large increase of urobilinogen in the client's urine is consistent with the diagnosis of

A) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
B) cancer of the kidney or bladder.
C) gastroenteritis.
D) hepatitis or other liver disease.

Question 5

The nurse explains to the client that the glucosuria in the urinalysis indicates that

A) a pancreatic disorder is present.
B) the serum glucose level is above the renal threshold.
C) the client is diabetic.
D) the client is experiencing some type of stress.

Question 6

A client is complaining of "arthritis" in the hands and wrists. The nurse questions the client about bowel habits and the client asks why. The best response by the nurse is

A) "All the Motrin you are taking for your symptoms can cause other problems."
B) "Arthritis complaints often go along with inflammatory bowel conditions."
C) "Often bowel habits change with a change in physical activity."
D) "The stress from your arthritis can cause you to have diarrhea."

Question 7

In counseling a pregnant woman scheduled for an ultrasound of the kidneys, the nurse would advise that

A) a full bladder is required.
B) bed rest will be necessary.
C) the dye may cause a reaction.
D) the procedure is safe for the fetus.

Question 8

Before palpating the bladder of a client with chronic urinary retention, the nurse should

A) have the client drink several glasses of water so the bladder is full and easy to palpate.
B) get the bladder scanner to determine if the bladder is full.
C) review intake and output instead; the bladder cannot be palpated at all.
D) ask the client to take a deep breath and relax the abdominal muscles.

Question 9

A nurse is taking a history from a middle-age male client. He states that he takes no prescribed medications, but he does take saw palmetto and pumpkin daily. The nurse recognizes these herbs as being used to

A) acidify the urine.
B) maintain prostate health.
C) prevent bladder cancer.
D) ward off sexually transmitted diseases.

Question 10

The nurse explains that the serum creatinine level is a better indicator for renal disorders because serum creatinine

A) closely reflects the dietary intake.
B) does not change in other systemic disorders.
C) has a constant ratio of 20:1 to blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
D) is unaffected by hydration status.

Question 11

A large, frothy, foul-smelling stool that floats in toilet water indicates to the nurse that the client has an alteration in the metabolism of

A) carbohydrates.
B) fats.
C) milk products.
D) protein.

Question 12

A client has a history of diarrhea. The nurse is attempting to obtain information from the review of systems. When the nurse asks if several different foods cause diarrhea, the client responds, "Hmm, I don't usually eat that." Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Ask the client why he/she doesn't eat specific foods.
B) Continue to ask about other food associations with diarrhea.
C) Have the client list the foods eaten on a typical day.
D) Inquire about familial bowel problems.

Question 13

A client was released from the hospital following a lengthy course of IV antibiotics. The home health care nurse assesses that the client has been having new-onset diarrhea. What would the nurse suspect to be the cause of this problem?

A) C. difficile infection
B) Contaminated water supply
C) Noncompliance with ordered diet
D) Not spacing medications properly

Question 14

The history finding in a client with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that suggests to the nurse that this result might not be related to colorectal cancer is a

A) high-fiber diet.
B) history of heavy smoking.
C) regular exercise program.
D) sedentary lifestyle.

Question 15

A client has an oral intake of 1500 ml and a urine output of 350 ml in a 24-hour period. The nurse can correctly chart that the client is

A) anuric.
B) hematuric.
C) oliguric.
D) polyuric.

Question 16

A client experiencing hematuria tells the nurse that the bleeding occurs at the end of urination, which could indicate a lesion in the

A) prostate.
B) renal pelvis.
C) upper bladder.
D) upper urinary tract.

Question 17

An 83-year-old client is seen for urinary frequency and burning. A dipstick urine test reveals positive nitrates. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Assume the client has a UTI.
B) Catheterize the client for a sterile specimen.
C) Nothing; this is a normal finding.
D) Send the urine for a culture.

Question 18

The nurse explains that the non-urinary manifestations that frequently accompany urinary diseases are

A) blurred vision and nystagmus.
B) disorientation and insomnia.
C) joint pain and stiffness.
D) nausea, vomiting, and anorexia.

Question 19

A client is in the emergency department with a suspected kidney stone and is scheduled for an intravenous pyelogram (IVP). Pre-procedure, which action is most important for the nurse to do? The nurse should

A) ask the client about iodine allergies.
B) administer a laxative.
C) document the history of the client's complaint.
D) insert a Foley catheter.

Question 20

A nurse is assessing a client with right upper quadrant pain. The nurse asks questions directly related to the health of the client's

A) appendix.
B) kidneys.
C) liver.
D) spleen.

Question 21

A woman who delivered a baby 10 hours ago has not been able to void. She is complaining of severe abdominal pain and feels the need to urinate but cannot. The nurse should anticipate an order for

A) anti-anxiety medication.
B) antibiotics.
C) immediate catheterization.
D) sitz bath.

Question 22

Match each item to the correct description below.
When assessing a client's abdomen, in which order does the nurse proceed?

Inspection

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 23

Match each item to the correct description below.
When assessing a client's abdomen, in which order does the nurse proceed?

Auscultation

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 24

For a client who has just undergone cystourethroscopy with biopsy, the nurse should

A) encourage the client to drink fluids to flush the dye from the renal system.
B) instruct the client that strict bed rest will be needed after the procedure.
C) offer throat lozenges to help with the client's sore throat.
D) plan care for a client having general anesthesia.

Question 25

Match each item to the correct description below.
When assessing a client's abdomen, in which order does the nurse proceed?

Palpation

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 26

Match each item to the correct description below.
When assessing a client's abdomen, in which order does the nurse proceed?

Percussion

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Question 27

In the post-procedural nursing care of a client who has undergone a cystourethroscopy, the nurse would include

A) ambulating the client 8 hours after the procedure.
B) maintaining a pressure dressing at the puncture site for 8 hours.
C) monitoring the client for manifestations of urinary tract infection.
D) obtaining a 24-hour urine specimen.