ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A client with a history of gastric ulcer suddenly complains of a sharp-severe pain in the mid epigastric area, which then spreads over the entire abdomen. The client’s abdomen is rigid and board-like to palpation, and the client obtains most comfort from lying in the knee-chest position. The nurse calls the physician immediately suspecting that the client is experiencing which of the following complications of peptic ulcer disease?
- A. Perforation
- B. Obstruction
- C. Hemorrhage
- D. Intractability
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The signs and symptoms described in the question are consistent with perforation of the ulcer, which then progresses to peritonitis if the perforation is large enough. The client with intestinal obstruction most likely would complain of abdominal pain, distension, and nausea and vomiting. The client with hemorrhage would be vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material or would be expelling black, tarry, or bloody stools. Intractability is a term that refers to continued symptoms of a disease process, despite ongoing medical treatment.
2. Which of the following symptoms would a client in the early stages of peritonitis exhibit?
- A. Abdominal distention
- B. Abdominal pain and rigidity
- C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
- D. Right upper quadrant pain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the early stages of peritonitis, the client would exhibit abdominal pain and rigidity due to inflammation.
3. The nurse has given instructions to the client with an ileostomy about foods to eat to thicken the stool. The nurse determines that the client needs further instructions if the client stated to eat which of the following foods to make the stool less watery?
- A. Pasta
- B. Boiled rice
- C. Bran
- D. Low-fat cheese
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Foods that help to thicken the stool of the client with an ileostomy include pasta, boiled rice, and low-fat cheese. Bran is high in dietary fiber and thus will increase the output of watery stool by increasing propulsion through the bowel. Ileostomy output is liquid. Addition or elimination of various foods can help to thicken or loosen this liquid drainage.
4. When a client has peptic ulcer disease, the nurse would expect a priority intervention to be:
- A. Assisting in inserting a Miller-Abbott tube
- B. Assisting in inserting an arterial pressure line
- C. Inserting a nasogastric tube
- D. Inserting an I.V.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Inserting a nasogastric tube is a priority intervention for a client with peptic ulcer disease to decompress the stomach.
5. Your goal is to minimize David’s risk of complications after a heriorrhaphy. You instruct the patient to:
- A. Avoid the use of pain medication.
- B. Cough and deep breathe Q2H.
- C. Splint the incision if he can’t avoid sneezing or coughing.
- D. Apply heat to scrotal swelling.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Instruct the patient to splint the incision if he can't avoid sneezing or coughing to minimize the risk of complications after heriorrhaphy.
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