ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse is inserting a nasogastric tube in an adult client. During the procedure, the client begins to cough and has difficulty breathing. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
- A. Remove the tube and reinsert when the respiratory distress subsides.
- B. Pull back on the tube and wait until the respiratory distress subsides.
- C. Quickly insert the tube.
- D. Notify the physician immediately.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: During the insertion of a nasogastric tube, if the client experiences difficulty breathing or any respiratory distress, withdraw the tube slightly, stop the tube advancement, and wait until the distress subsides. Options 1 and 4 are unnecessary. Quickly inserting the tube is not an appropriate action because, in this situation, it may be likely that the tube has entered the bronchus.
2. When planning care for a client with ulcerative colitis who is experiencing symptoms, which client care activities can the nurse appropriately delegate to a unlicensed assistant?
- A. Assessing the client's bowel sounds
- B. administration of pain medication every 4 hours
- C. Evaluating the client's response to antidiarrheal medications
- D. Maintaining intake and output records
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Delegating tasks such as providing skin care, maintaining intake and output records, and obtaining the client's weight are within the scope of practice for an unlicensed assistant. Assessing bowel sounds and evaluating the response to medications require nursing judgment and should not be delegated.
3. You promote hemodynamic stability in a patient with upper GI bleeding by:
- A. Encouraging oral fluid intake.
- B. Monitoring central venous pressure.
- C. Monitoring laboratory test results and vital signs.
- D. Giving blood, electrolyte and fluid replacement.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Promoting hemodynamic stability in a patient with upper GI bleeding involves giving blood, electrolyte, and fluid replacement.
4. Which of the following laboratory results would be expected in a client with peritonitis?
- A. Partial thromboplastin time above 100 seconds
- B. Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dL
- C. Potassium level above 5.5 mEq/L
- D. White blood cell count above 15,000
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A white blood cell count above 15,000 is indicative of an infection, such as peritonitis.
5. The nurse is scheduling diagnostic tests for a client. If all of the following diagnostic tests are ordered, which would be performed last?
- A. Gallbladder series
- B. Barium enema
- C. Barium swallow
- D. Oral cholecystogram
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Barium swallow.' A barium swallow should be done after a barium enema or gallbladder series to prevent the contrast used in the barium swallow from obstructing the view of other organs. It takes several days for swallowed barium to pass completely out of the gastrointestinal tract. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a barium swallow should be the last test performed to ensure clear imaging without interference from residual contrast material.
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