ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A home care nurse is visiting a client with a diagnosis of pernicious anemia that developed as a result of gastric surgery. The nurse instructs the client that because the stomach lining produces a decreased amount of intrinsic factor in this disorder, the client will need
- A. Vitamin B12 injections.
- B. Vitamin B6 injections.
- C. An antibiotic.
- D. An antacid.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A lack of the intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12 occurs in pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 is needed for the maturation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 is not necessarily needed for pernicious anemia and can be taken orally. An antibiotic and antacids may be prescribed for certain types of gastric ulcers.
2. The client has been admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The nurse would assess this client for pain that is:
- A. Severe and unrelenting, located in the epigastric area and radiating to the back.
- B. Severe and unrelenting, located in the left lower quadrant and radiating to the groin.
- C. Burning and aching, located in the epigastric area and radiating to the umbilicus.
- D. Burning and aching, located in the left lower quadrant and radiating to the hip.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis typically presents with severe, unrelenting pain in the epigastric area that radiates to the back. This pain is due to inflammation and autodigestion of the pancreas.
3. A 53 y.o. patient has undergone a partial gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the stomach. An NG tube is in place and is connected to low continuous suction. During the immediate postoperative period, you expect the gastric secretions to be which color?
- A. Brown.
- B. Clear.
- C. Red.
- D. Yellow.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During the immediate postoperative period after a partial gastrectomy, gastric secretions are expected to be red.
4. When counseling a client in ways to prevent cholecystitis, which of the following guidelines is most important?
- A. Eat a low-protein diet
- B. Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet
- C. Limit exercise to 10 minutes/day
- D. Keep weight proportionate to height
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Eating a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is most important for preventing cholecystitis.
5. The client with Crohn’s disease has a nursing diagnosis of acute pain. The nurse would teach the client to avoid which of the following in managing this problem?
- A. Lying supine with the legs straight
- B. Massaging the abdomen
- C. Using antispasmodic medication
- D. Using relaxation techniques
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Lying supine with the legs straight can increase abdominal tension and exacerbate pain. The client should be advised to lie with the legs bent to reduce muscle tension and discomfort.
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