Nursing Elites

1. A client is admitted to the hospital after vomiting bright red blood and is diagnosed with a bleeding duodenal ulcer. The client develops a sudden, sharp pain in the midepigastric area along with a rigid, boardlike abdomen. These clinical manifestations most likely indicate which of the following?

• A. An intestinal obstruction has developed
• B. Additional ulcers have developed
• C. The esophagus has become inflamed
• D. The ulcer has perforated

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A sudden, sharp pain in the midepigastric area along with a rigid, boardlike abdomen indicates that the ulcer has perforated.

2. Which of the following nursing measures would be inappropriate when caring for a client with a Cantor tube?

• A. Injecting 10 mL of air into the tube to facilitate drainage.
• B. Applying a water-soluble lubricant to the client's nares.
• C. Coiling extra tubing on the client's bed.
• D. Irrigating the tube with 50 mL of normal saline solution.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Intestinal tubes are not irrigated. Injecting air into the tube, applying water-soluble lubricant, and coiling extra tubing are appropriate nursing measures.

3. The client with a duodenal ulcer may exhibit which of the following findings on assessment?

• A. Hematemesis
• B. Malnourishment
• C. Melena
• D. Pain with eating

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Melena (black, tarry stools) can be an indication of a duodenal ulcer.

4. The nurse is irrigating a client's colostomy when she complains of abdominal cramping after receiving about 100 mL of the irrigating solution. What should the nurse's first response be in this situation?

• A. Stop the flow of solution temporarily.
• B. Reposition the client on to her right side.
• C. Remove the irrigation tube.
• D. Massage the abdomen gently.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The abdominal cramping that can occur during colostomy irrigation results from stimulation of the colon by the irrigating solution. The nurse's first response should be to temporarily stop the flow of solution to allow the cramping to subside. Repositioning the client to the right side will not alleviate the cramping. Removing the tube will not decrease the cramping and will necessitate reinsertion of the tube when the irrigation is resumed. Massaging the abdomen gently may be soothing to some clients, but it is not the nurse's first priority action.

5. You have a patient with achalasia (incomplete muscle relaxation of the GI tract, especially sphincter muscles). Which medications do you anticipate to administer?

• A. Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
• B. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• C. Captopril (Capoten)
• D. Propanolol (Inderal)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) is a medication used to relax the muscles of the GI tract in patients with achalasia.

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