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. 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. Dark, tarry stools indicate bleeding in which location of the GI tract?
- A. Upper colon.
- B. Lower colon.
- C. Upper GI tract.
- D. Small intestine.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Dark, tarry stools indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract.
4. You’re assessing the stoma of a patient with a healthy, well-healed colostomy. You expect the stoma to appear:
- A. Pale, pink and moist
- B. Red and moist
- C. Dark or purple colored
- D. Dry and black
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A healthy, well-healed colostomy stoma should appear red and moist.
5. After a subtotal gastrectomy, the nurse should anticipate that nasogastric tube drainage will be what color for about 12 to 24 hours after surgery?
- A. Dark brown
- B. Bile green
- C. Bright red
- D. Cloudy white
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Dark brown drainage is expected for about 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
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