ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse has been caring for a client with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The physician arrives on the nursing unit and deflates the esophageal balloon. The nurse should monitor the client most closely for which of the following?
- A. Swelling of the abdomen
- B. Bloody diarrhea
- C. Vomiting blood
- D. An elevated temperature and arise in blood pressure
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is inserted into a client with a diagnosis of cirrhosis and ruptured esophageal varices. The tube has an esophageal and a gastric balloon. The esophageal balloon exerts pressure on the bleeding. The pressure of the esophageal balloon is released at intervals to decrease the risk of trauma to esophageal tissues, including esophageal rupture or necrosis. When the balloon is deflated the client may begin to bleed again from the esophageal varices, noted by vomiting of blood.
2. The client with a new colostomy is concerned about the odor from the stool in the ostomy drainage bag. The nurse teaches the client to include which of the following foods in the diet to reduce odor?
- A. Yogurt
- B. Broccoli
- C. Cucumbers
- D. Eggs
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Yogurt helps reduce odor in the stool by promoting healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.
3. A 29 y.o. patient has an acute episode of ulcerative colitis. What diagnostic test confirms this diagnosis?
- A. Barium Swallow.
- B. Stool examination.
- C. Gastric analysis.
- D. Sigmoidoscopy.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Sigmoidoscopy is the diagnostic test that confirms the diagnosis of an acute episode of ulcerative colitis.
4. The client has orders for a nasogastric (NG) tube insertion. During the procedure, instructions that will assist in the insertion would be:
- A. Instruct the client to tilt his head back for insertion in the nostril, then flex his neck for the final insertion
- B. After insertion into the nostril, instruct the client to extend his neck
- C. Introduce the tube with the client’s head tilted back, then instruct him to keep his head upright for final insertion
- D. Instruct the client to hold his chin down, then back for insertion of the tube
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Instructing the client to tilt his head back for insertion in the nostril, then flex his neck for the final insertion helps facilitate the NG tube insertion.
5. A nurse is reviewing the orders of a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Select the interventions that the nurse would expect to be prescribed for the client.
- A. Small, frequent high-calorie feedings.
- B. Meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed for pain.
- C. Place the client in a side-lying position with the head elevated 45-degrees.
- D. Administer antacids and anticholinergics to suppress gastrointestinal secretions.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with acute pancreatitis is to prescribe pain medications such as meperidine to manage the abdominal pain, which is a prominent symptom of the condition. The other options are incorrect because: A) Clients with acute pancreatitis are normally placed on NPO (nothing by mouth) status to rest the pancreas, so small, frequent high-calorie feedings are not indicated. C) Placing the client in a side-lying position with the head elevated 45-degrees helps decrease tension on the abdomen and may ease pain, but it is not a standard intervention for acute pancreatitis. D) Administering antacids and anticholinergics to suppress gastrointestinal secretions is not a routine intervention for acute pancreatitis.
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