ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The nurse assesses the client, knowing that which of the following is a hallmark sign of this disorder?
- A. Severe abdominal pain relieved by vomiting
- B. Severe abdominal pain that is unrelieved by vomiting
- C. Hypothermia
- D. Epigastric pain radiating to the neck area
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A hallmark sign of acute pancreatitis is severe abdominal pain that is not relieved by vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common presenting symptoms, with vomitus typically consisting of gastric and duodenal contents. Hypothermia is not a hallmark sign of acute pancreatitis. Fever, typically less than 38 degrees centigrade, is more common. Epigastric pain radiating to the neck area is not a characteristic sign of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.
2. Your patient has a retractable gastric peptic ulcer and has had a gastric vagotomy. Which factor increases as a result of vagotomy?
- A. Peristalsis.
- B. Gastric acidity.
- C. Gastric motility.
- D. Gastric pH.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After a gastric vagotomy, the gastric pH increases as a result of reduced acid secretion.
3. Fistulas are most common with which of the following bowel disorders?
- A. Crohn’s disease
- B. Diverticulitis
- C. Diverticulosis
- D. Ulcerative colitis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Fistulas are most common in Crohn's disease due to the transmural inflammation that characterizes this condition.
4. If a client had irritable bowel syndrome, which of the following diagnostic tests would determine if the diagnosis is Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?
- A. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan
- B. Abdominal x-ray
- C. Barium swallow
- D. Colonoscopy with biopsy
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A colonoscopy with biopsy is the most definitive diagnostic test to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
5. When teaching a community group about measures to prevent colon cancer, which instruction should the nurse include?
- A. Limit fat intake to 20% to 25% of your total daily calories.
- B. Include 15 to 20 grams of fiber into your daily diet.
- C. Get an annual rectal examination after age 35.
- D. Undergo sigmoidoscopy annually after age 50.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Limiting fat intake is a recommended measure to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Including fiber, undergoing annual rectal examinations, and sigmoidoscopy are also important, but limiting fat intake is directly related to reducing cancer risk.
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