ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who will be returning to a nursing unit following a percutaneous transhephatic cholangiogram. The nurse includes which intervention in the postprocedure plan of care?
- A. Place a sandbag over the insertion site.
- B. Allow the client bathroom privileges only.
- C. Encourage fluid intake.
- D. Allow the client to sit in a chair for meals.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Following this procedure, the nurse monitors the client’s vital signs closely for indications of hemorrhage and observes the needle insertion site for bleeding and bile leakage. A sandbag is placed over the insertion site to prevent bleeding. The client is maintained on bedrest, and oral intake is avoided in the immediate postprocedure period in case surgery is necessary to control hemorrhage of bile extravasation.
2. Which of the following complications of gastric resection should the nurse teach the client to watch for?
- A. Constipation
- B. Dumping syndrome
- C. Gastric spasm
- D. Intestinal spasms
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Clients should be taught to watch for symptoms of dumping syndrome, a common complication after gastric resection.
3. A client is admitted to the hospital with acute viral hepatitis. Which of the following signs or symptoms would the nurse expect to note based on this diagnosis?
- A. Spider angiomas
- B. Fatigue
- C. Pale urine
- D. Weight gain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Common signs of acute viral hepatitis include weight loss, dark urine, and fatigue. The client is anorexic, possibly from a toxin produced by the diseased liver, and finds food distasteful. The urine darkens because of excess bilirubin being excreted by the kidneys. Fatigue occurs during all phases of hepatitis.
4. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect the client to report when responding to questions about his bowel elimination pattern?
- A. Constipation.
- B. Bloody, diarrheal stools.
- C. Steatorrhea.
- D. Alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Diarrhea is the primary symptom of ulcerative colitis. It is profuse and severe; the client may pass as many as 15 to 20 watery stools per day. Stools may contain blood, mucus, and pus. The frequent diarrhea is often accompanied by anorexia and nausea. Constipation is not a sign or symptom of ulcerative colitis. Steatorrhea (fatty stools) is more typical of pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Alternating diarrhea and constipation is associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
5. Radiation therapy is used to treat colon cancer before surgery for which of the following reasons?
- A. Reducing the size of the tumor
- B. Eliminating the malignant cells
- C. Curing the cancer
- D. Helping the bowel heal after surgery
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Radiation therapy is used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, making it easier to remove.
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