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. The nurse is administering enoxaparin (Lovenox) to a client. What is the most important lab value to monitor?
- A. Platelet count
- B. Hemoglobin
- C. White blood cell count
- D. aPTT
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. When administering enoxaparin, it is crucial to monitor the platelet count because enoxaparin can lead to a rare but serious side effect known as thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in platelet levels. Monitoring the platelet count helps in detecting this adverse effect early. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and aPTT are not the most important lab values to monitor specifically for enoxaparin administration.
3. The nurse is caring for a child who had a tonsillectomy. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse observe the child for in the postoperative period?
- A. Arrhythmias
- B. Increased swallowing
- C. Increased blood sugar
- D. Increased urinary output
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B. Increased swallowing can indicate bleeding at the surgical site, which is a potential complication after tonsillectomy. Choice A, Arrhythmias, are not typically associated with tonsillectomy. Choice C, Increased blood sugar, is not a common clinical manifestation after a tonsillectomy. Choice D, Increased urinary output, is not a typical clinical manifestation to observe for in the postoperative period after a tonsillectomy.
4. What would a diet manual most likely contain?
- A. Procedures for disinfecting cooking surfaces
- B. Staff sanitation guidelines
- C. Information on specific patients' resting metabolic rates
- D. Specific food preparation methods
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A diet manual typically contains guidance on specific food preparation methods to ensure proper nutrition and health for individuals following the diet. Therefore, choice D is correct. Choices A and B refer to sanitation procedures and staff hygiene issues, which are important but not typically the focus of a diet manual. Choice C, regarding specific patients' resting metabolic rates, is too individualized and detailed for a general diet manual, as it would be part of a personalized dietary plan developed with a healthcare professional.
5. A nurse is teaching a group of parents about preventing childhood obesity. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Serve your child 1 to 2 cups of fruit juice daily
- B. Feed your child whole milk until 2 years of age
- C. Eat at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal
- D. Limit your child's TV watching to 1 to 2 hr per day
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should instruct parents to limit their child�s TV watching to 1 to 2 hours per day to prevent childhood obesity.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
ATI Basic
- 50,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access @ $69.99
ATI Basic
- 50,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 90 days access @ $149.99