a nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client the nurse determines that which of the following findings should be reported to the physicia
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions

1. During an abdominal assessment, a nurse finds pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis on a client. What finding should be reported to the physician?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The presence of pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis could indicate an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a serious condition and should be reported to the physician promptly. A concave, midline umbilicus is a normal finding. Bowel sound frequency can vary widely and is not a cause for concern at 15 sounds per minute. Absence of a bruit is a normal finding in an abdominal assessment and does not require reporting.

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?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Yogurt helps reduce odor in the stool by promoting healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.

3. Dark, tarry stools indicate bleeding in which location of the GI tract?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Dark, tarry stools indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract.

4. Which of the following complications is thought to be the most common cause of appendicitis?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A fecalith is a hardened stool that can block the appendix, leading to inflammation and infection, which is the most common cause of appendicitis.

5. The client with Crohn’s disease has a nursing diagnosis of Acute Pain. The nurse would teach the client to avoid which of the following in managing this problem?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In managing acute pain associated with Crohn’s disease, the client should avoid lying supine with the legs straight. This position increases muscle tension in the abdomen, potentially aggravating inflamed intestinal tissues as the abdominal muscles are stretched. Massaging the abdomen, using antispasmodic medication, and employing relaxation techniques are beneficial in alleviating pain. Massaging can help relax abdominal muscles, antispasmodic medication can reduce spasms contributing to pain, and relaxation techniques aid in overall pain management. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are appropriate interventions for managing pain in clients with CroCrohn’s disease.

Similar Questions

The nurse is assessing for stoma prolapse in a client with a colostomy. The nurse would observe which of the following if stoma prolapse occurred?
A client has a nasogastric tube inserted at the time of abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. This tube will most likely be removed when the client demonstrates:
You’re preparing a patient with a malignant tumor for colorectal surgery and subsequent colostomy. The patient tells you he’s anxious. What should your initial step be in working with this patient?
The client being treated for esophageal varices has a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube inserted to control the bleeding. The most important assessment is for the nurse to:
Which of the following activities should the nurse encourage the client with a peptic ulcer to avoid?

Access More Features

ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses