Nursing Elites

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. You’re patient, post-op drainage of a pelvic abscess secondary to diverticulitis, begins to cough violently after drinking water. His wound has ruptured and a small segment of the bowel is protruding. What’s your priority?

• A. Ask the patient what happened, call the doctor, and cover the area with a water-soaked bedsheet.
• B. Obtain vital signs, call the doctor, and obtain emergency orders.
• C. Have a CAN hold the wound together while you obtain vital signs, call the doctor and flex the patient’s knees.
• D. Have the doctor called while you remain with the patient, flex the patient’s knees, and cover the wound with sterile towels soaked in sterile saline solution.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: For a patient with a ruptured wound and protruding bowel, call the doctor while remaining with the patient, flex the patient’s knees, and cover the wound with sterile towels soaked in sterile saline solution.

3. The nurse is preparing to discontinue a client’s nasogastric tube. The client is positioned properly, and the tube has been flushed with 15 mL of air to clear secretions. Before removing the tube, the nurse makes which statement to the client?

• A. Take a deep breath when I tell you and breathe normally while I remove the tube.
• B. Take a deep breath when I tell you and bear down while I remove the tube.
• C. Take a deep breath when I tell you and slowly exhale while I remove the tube.
• D. Take a deep breath when I tell you and hold it while I remove the tube.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The client should take a deep breath because the client’s airway will be obstructed temporarily during tube removal. The nurse then tells the client to exhale slowly and withdraws the tube during exhalation. Bearing down could inhibit the removal of the tube. Breathing normally could result in aspiration of gastric secretions during inhalation. Holding the breath does not facilitate tube removal.

4. Brenda, a 36 y.o. patient is on your floor with acute pancreatitis. Treatment for her includes:

• A. Continuous peritoneal lavage.
• B. Regular diet with increased fat.
• C. Nutritional support with TPN.
• D. Insertion of a T tube to drain the pancreas.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Treatment for acute pancreatitis includes nutritional support with TPN.

5. Crohn’s disease can be described as a chronic relapsing disease. Which of the following areas in the GI system may be involved with this disease?

• A. The entire length of the large colon
• B. Only the sigmoid area
• C. The entire large colon through the layers of mucosa and submucosa
• D. The small intestine and colon; affecting the entire thickness of the bowel

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, but it commonly affects the small intestine and colon, involving the entire thickness of the bowel wall.

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