Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis. The client is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain of increased abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment the nurse notes that the abdomen is distended and the bowel sounds are diminished. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

• A. Administer dilaudid
• B. Notify the physician
• C. Call and ask the operating room team to perform the surgery as soon as possible
• D. Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on a warm setting to the client’s abdomen.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The symptoms suggest possible perforation or peritonitis, which are serious complications requiring immediate medical attention. The nurse should promptly notify the physician.

2. The client with a colostomy has an order for irrigation of the colostomy. The nurse uses which solution for the irrigation?

• A. Distilled water
• B. Tap water
• C. Sterile water
• D. Lactated Ringer’s

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct solution to use for the irrigation of a colostomy is warm tap water or saline solution. If tap water is not suitable for drinking, bottled water can be used. Distilled water, sterile water, and Lactated Ringer’s are not appropriate solutions for colostomy irrigation. Distilled water lacks essential minerals, sterile water may not provide adequate cleaning, and Lactated Ringer’s is not indicated for this procedure.

3. The nurse is performing a colostomy irrigation on a client. During the irrigation, a client begins to complain of abdominal cramps. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?

• A. Notify the physician
• B. Increase the height of the irrigation
• C. Stop the irrigation temporarily.
• D. Medicate with dilaudid and resume the irrigation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: If a client experiences abdominal cramps during a colostomy irrigation, it is appropriate to stop the irrigation temporarily to allow the cramps to subside.

4. The nurse is reviewing the record of a client with Crohn’s disease. Which of the following stool characteristics would the nurse expect to note documented in the client’s record?

• A. Chronic constipation
• B. Diarrhea
• C. Constipation alternating with diarrhea
• D. Stool constantly oozing from the rectum

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Crohn’s disease is characterized by nonbloody diarrhea of usually not more than four to five stools daily. Over time, the diarrhea episodes increase in frequency, duration, and severity. Chronic constipation (Choice A), constipation alternating with diarrhea (Choice C), and stool constantly oozing from the rectum (Choice D) are not characteristics typically associated with Crohn’s disease.

5. The nurse would assess the client experiencing an acute episode of cholecystitis for pain that is located in the right:

• A. Upper quadrant and radiates to the left scapula and shoulder
• B. Upper quadrant and radiates to the right scapula and shoulder
• C. Lower quadrant and radiates to the umbilicus
• D. Lower quadrant and radiates to the back

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pain from cholecystitis is typically located in the right upper quadrant and may radiate to the right scapula and shoulder.

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