Question 1

The nurse cautions that constant stress can cause an alteration to the GI system,which can result in:

Accepted Answer

Stress increases the gastric secretions,which irritate and finally ulcerate the gastric mucosal lining.

Question 2

The home health nurse caring for the patient with tuberculosis who is taking rifampin and isoniazid (INH)will be alert for an indication of a common side effect of these drugs,which is:

Accepted Answer

Rifampin and INH are both hepatotoxic.

Question 3

The nurse is assessing a patient's bowel sounds.The nurse documents that the bowel sounds were hypoactive.This indicates that the bowel sounds were heard every _____ seconds.

Accepted Answer

Bowel sounds are caused by air and fluid moving through the intestinal tract,and are heard as soft gurgles and clicks every 5 to 15 seconds.The normal frequency for these sounds is about 5 to 30 in 1 minute.Hypoactive bowel sounds can be noted in the medical record when no sounds are heard after listening in each of the four quadrants for 30 seconds.

Question 4

The multiple doses of liquid laxative that are given before a colonoscopy can be made more palatable by:

Accepted Answer

Chilling the laxative or pouring it over ice makes the drink more palatable and easier to swallow.

Question 5

The nurse is discussing foods that will aid in thickening the consistency of the stool with a patient who has been having severe diarrhea.When the patient has the opportunity to make a menu selection,which choice indicates an understanding of the instructions?

Accepted Answer

When a patient has severe diarrhea and is allowed to resume solid foods,the foods should be slowly introduced in order to help thicken the stool.Foods such as applesauce,pretzels,bananas,white rice,white toast,and yogurt are beneficial.

Question 6

The nurse is talking with a patient who has been experiencing nausea.The patient indicates an interest in using alternative therapies for the condition.Which product may be suggested to aid in the management of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Ginger has been used for centuries in Asia to combat nausea and vomiting,motion sickness,and dyspepsia.It is available candied in capsules,fluid extract,and tablets,and tincture or as fresh ginger root that can be grated and used to make tea.Ginger may decrease the action of histamine (H?)-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors and may increase absorption of medications taken orally.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who is complaining of postoperative gas pain.What intervention can the nurse implement to aid the patient in passing flatus?

Accepted Answer

Ambulation is the most effective method for helping a patient expel gas.Hot or cold beverages and cold compresses will increase gas.

Question 8

The nurse percussing a patient's abdomen hears a dull thud in the right upper quadrant.This finding indicates that the area being percussed is:

Accepted Answer

Percussion is performed by placing the middle finger of one hand on the abdomen and striking the finger lightly below the knuckle and listening for the pitch of sound produced.A resonant sound is heard over areas filled with air and a dull,thudding sound is heard over solid organs.

Question 9

The nurse is auscultating bowel sounds in the patient.The nurse notes the presence of loud bowel sounds in each quadrant every 3 seconds.The nurse correctly associates these findings as an indication of:

Accepted Answer

Loud,rapid bowel sounds are indicative of the hypermobility that results in diarrhea.Bowel sounds are absent in the paralytic ileus.Normal bowel sounds present as soft gurgles and clicks every 5 to 15 seconds.

Question 10

In taking the history of a person with hepatitis A,an appropriate question for the nurse to ask is:

Accepted Answer

Shellfish and mollusks can be contaminated by living in feces-contaminated water.Drug use and unprotected sex are not part of the etiology of hepatitis A but are for hepatitis B.Travel to Canada is not associated with hepatitis A.

Question 11

The nurse caring for an 80-year-old woman who is undergoing the extensive bowel preparation for a colonoscopy will assess the patient closely for:

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis can occur when there is a large volume loss of bowel content.Bowel preparation causes diarrhea and does not cause fluid retention or increase in urinary output.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing moderate diarrhea for the past 3 days.Which will most likely be incorporated into the patient's plan of care?

Accepted Answer

If the diarrhea is severe,nothing is given by mouth until it subsides.If diarrhea is moderate,only clear liquids are permitted by mouth.Severe,long-term diarrhea may require the use of total parenteral nutrition.

Question 13

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of an assigned patient.The serum bilirubin is 2.8 mg/dL.The nurse would anticipate which finding in the patient's urine?

Accepted Answer

Normal serum bilirubin is 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL.Jaundice is present at readings above 2.5 mg/dL.The patient who is jaundiced will have dark,tea-colored urine.Specific gravity refers to the concentration of the urine.The amount and odor of urine will not be directly influenced by the bilirubin level.

Question 14

The nurse explains that the older adult is prone to digestive disorders because of age-related changes that include: (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

There is no increase in digestive enzymes.

Question 15

In reviewing the physical assessments of several patients,the nurse recognizes that the patient most likely to have gallstones would be the:

Accepted Answer

Obesity,diabetes mellitus,rapid weight loss,and Crohn's disease increase the risk for the development of gallstones.Native Americans and Mexican Americans have an ethnic predisposition to gallstones.

Question 16

The nurse is reviewing the charting of a student nurse.The student has documented that bowel sounds are absent.The nurse recognizes that each quadrant must be auscultated for _____ minutes before this is correct.

Accepted Answer

The criterion for the documentation of absent bowel sounds is that each quadrant is auscultated for 5 minutes.

Question 17

When the patient returns to the floor at 12:30 PM after having had an upper GI (UGI)series,which action should the nurse complete first?

Accepted Answer

Patients who have had a UGI series have been NPO for 12 hours and may be dehydrated.Fluids should be given generously to help evacuate the contrast media,and the meal tray should be given as quickly as possible.

Question 18

When the patient complains,"I don't see why I can't have a CT scan instead of the expensive MRI," the nurse clarifies that the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)study:

Accepted Answer

The MRI uses radiofrequency signals to determine how hydrogen atoms behave in the magnetic field.In addition,the MRI provides a better contrast between healthy tissues and pathologic tissues.

Question 19

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results from a patient who has been diagnosed with liver disease.Which finding would be consistent with this condition?

Accepted Answer

Prothrombin is a protein produced by the liver and used in blood clotting.The normal value is 12 to 14 seconds.It is reduced in patients with liver disease,causing a prolonged clotting time.Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)is used to detect deficiencies of stage II clotting mechanisms.It is prolonged in liver disease.

Question 20

The assessment of bulging flanks on a patient who is supine with knees flexed leads the nurse to assess further for:

Accepted Answer

Bulging flanks in the supine person with flexed knees is indicative for ascites.Further assessment should follow.

Quiz 28: the Gastrointestinal System