ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A client has been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The nurse interprets that the client has dysfunction of which of the following parts of the digestive system?
- A. Chief cells of the stomach
- B. Parietal cells of the stomach
- C. Lower esophageal sphincter
- D. Upper esophageal sphincter
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The lower esophageal sphincter is a functional sphincter that normally remains closed except when food or fluids are swallowed. If relaxation of this sphincter occurs, the client could experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
2. You’re performing an abdominal assessment on Brent who is 52 y.o. In which order do you proceed?
- A. Observation, percussion, palpation, auscultation
- B. Observation, auscultation, percussion, palpation
- C. Percussion, palpation, auscultation, observation
- D. Palpation, percussion, observation, auscultation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct order for performing an abdominal assessment is observation, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
3. During the first few days of recovery from ostomy surgery for ulcerative colitis, which of the following aspects should be the first priority of client care?
- A. Body image
- B. Ostomy care
- C. Sexual concerns
- D. Skin care
Correct answer: D
Rationale: During the initial recovery period from ostomy surgery, skin care is the first priority to prevent irritation and infection around the stoma site.
4. Kevin has a history of peptic ulcer disease and vomits coffee-ground emesis. What does this indicate?
- A. He has fresh, active upper GI bleeding.
- B. He needs immediate saline gastric lavage.
- C. His gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
- D. He needs a transfusion of packed RBCs.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that occurred approximately 2 hours earlier. It results from the breakdown of blood in the stomach due to digestive enzymes, giving it a coffee-ground appearance. Choice A is incorrect because coffee-ground emesis indicates older, partially digested blood, not fresh active bleeding. Choice B is incorrect as gastric lavage is not indicated for coffee-ground emesis. Choice D is incorrect because a transfusion of packed RBCs is not the immediate management for this presentation.
5. A client with peptic ulcer is scheduled for a Vagotomy. The client asks the nurse about the purpose of this procedure. The nurse tells the client that the procedure
- A. Decreases food absorption in the stomach.
- B. Heals the gastric mucosa.
- C. Halts stress reactions.
- D. Reduces the stimulus to acid secretions.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A vagotomy, or cutting of the vagus nerve, is done to eliminate parasympathetic stimulation of gastric secretion, thereby reducing the stimulus to acid secretions. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as a vagotomy does not affect food absorption, heal the gastric mucosa, or halt stress reactions.
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