Nursing Elites

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. When teaching an elderly client how to prevent constipation, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Drink 6 glasses of fluid each day.
• B. Avoid grain products and nuts.
• C. Add at least 4 grams of brain to your cereal each morning.
• D. Be sure to get regular exercise.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To prevent constipation, elderly clients should be encouraged to get regular exercise, which promotes bowel motility.

3. Which of the following associated disorders may a client with ulcerative colitis exhibit?

• A. Gallstones
• B. Hydronephrosis
• C. Nephrolithiasis
• D. Toxic megacolon

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Toxic megacolon is a severe complication that may be exhibited by a client with ulcerative colitis.

4. The nurse is doing an admission assessment on a client with a history of duodenal ulcer. To determine whether the problem is currently active, the nurse would assess the client for which of the following most frequent symptom(s) of duodenal ulcer?

• A. Pain that is relieved by food intake
• B. Pain that radiated down the right arm
• C. N/V
• D. Weight loss

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Pain that is relieved by food intake is the most frequent symptom of duodenal ulcers because the food neutralizes the stomach acid.

5. The nurse has inserted a nasogastric tube to the level of the oropharynx and has repositioned the client’s head in a flexed-forward position. The client has been asked to begin swallowing. The nurse starts slowly to advance the nasogastric tube with each swallow. The client begins to cough, gag, and choke. Which nursing action would least likely result in proper tube insertion and promote client relaxation?

• A. Continuing to advance the tube to the desired distance
• B. Pulling the tube back slightly
• C. Checking the back of the pharynx using a tongue blade and flashlight.
• D. Instructing the client to breathe slowly and take sips of water.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: As the nasogastric tube is passed through the oropharynx, the gag reflex is stimulated, which may cause coughing, gagging, or choking. Instead of passing through to the esophagus, the nasogastric tube may coil around itself in the oropharynx, or it may enter the larynx and obstruct the airway, pulling the tube back slightly will remove it from the larynx; advancing the tube might position it in the trachea. Swallowing closes the epiglottis over the trachea and helps move the tube into the esophagus. Slow breathing helps the client relax to reduce the gag response. The nurse should check the back of the client’s throat to note if the tube has coiled. The tube may be advanced after the client relaxes.

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