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. After gastric resection surgery, which of the following signs and symptoms would alert the nurse to the development of a leaking anastomosis?
- A. Pain, fever, and abdominal rigidity.
- B. Diarrhea with fat in the stool.
- C. Palpitations, pallor, and diaphoresis after eating.
- D. Feelings of fullness and nausea after eating.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain, fever, and abdominal rigidity are signs and symptoms of inflammation or peritonitis caused by the leaking anastomosis. Diarrhea with fat in the stool is steatorrhea and is not present in peritonitis. Palpitations, pallor, and diaphoresis after eating are vasomotor symptoms of gastric retention. Feelings of fullness and nausea after eating are not present in peritonitis.
3. Which of the following tests can be used to diagnose ulcers?
- A. Abdominal x-ray
- B. Barium swallow
- C. Computed tomography (CT) scan
- D. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a diagnostic test that involves visualizing the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum to diagnose ulcers.
4. The client being seen in a physician’s office has just been scheduled for a barium swallow the next day. The nurse writes down which of the following instructions for the client to follow before the test?
- A. Fast for 8 hours before the test
- B. Eat a regular supper and breakfast
- C. Continue to take all oral medications as scheduled.
- D. Monitor own bowel movement pattern for constipation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Fasting for 8 hours ensures that the stomach is empty, which is necessary for an accurate barium swallow test.
5. Elmer is scheduled for a proctoscopy and has an I.V. The doctor wrote an order for 5mg of I.V. diazepam(Valium). Which order is correct regarding diazepam?
- A. Give diazepam in the I.V. port closest to the vein.
- B. Mix diazepam with 50 ml of dextrose 5% in water and give over 15 minutes.
- C. Give diazepam rapidly I.V. to prevent the bloodstream from diluting the drug mixture.
- D. Question the order because I.V. administration of diazepam is contraindicated.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct method for administering I.V. diazepam is to give it in the I.V. port closest to the vein.
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