ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse is providing instructions to a client who will collect a stool specimen for occult blood. The nurse instructs the client to avoid which of the following for 3 days before the collection of the stool specimen?
- A. Milk products
- B. Hard cheese
- C. Turnips
- D. Cottage cheese
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Turnips. The nurse would instruct the client to avoid red meat, poultry, fish, turnips, horseradish, and foods such as fruits and vegetables for 3 days before and during testing. These products may alter test results. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they are not specifically mentioned as items to avoid before collecting a stool specimen for occult blood.
2. A client is scheduled for an abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. Which of the following measures would most likely be included in the plan for the client's preoperative preparation?
- A. Keep the client NPO for 2 days before surgery.
- B. Administer kanamycin (Kantrex) the night before surgery.
- C. Inform the client that chest tubes will be in place after surgery.
- D. Advise the client to limit activity.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Antibiotics are administered preoperatively to reduce the bacterial count in the colon. The client will be placed on a low residue diet to help cleanse the bowel before surgery but typically is not placed on NPO status until 8 to 12 hours before surgery. Laxatives and enemas may also be administered. Chest tubes would not be expected postoperatively. There is no need to limit the client's activity before surgery.
3. The home care nurse is visiting a client with a diagnosis of pernicious anemia that developed as a result of gastric surgery. The nurse instructs the client that because the stomach lining produces a decreased amount of intrinsic factor in this disorder, the client will need
- A. Vitamin B12 injections
- B. Vitamin B6 injections
- C. An antibiotic
- D. An antacid
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12 occurs in pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 is needed for the maturation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 is not necessarily needed for pernicious anemia and can be taken orally. An antibiotic and antacids may be prescribed for certain types of gastric ulcers.
4. The nurse is planning to teach the client with gastroesophageal reflux disease about substances that will increase the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Which of the following items would the nurse include on this list?
- A. Fatty foods
- B. Nonfat milk
- C. Chocolate
- D. Coffee
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Foods that increase the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure will decrease reflux, and lessen the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The food substance that will increase the LES pressure is nonfat milk. The other substances listed decrease the LES pressure, thus increasing reflux symptoms. Aggravating substances include chocolate, coffee, fatty foods and alcohol.
5. The nurse is doing preoperative teaching with the client who is about to undergo creation of a Kock pouch. The nurse interprets that the client has the best understanding of the nature of the surgery if the client makes which of the following statements?
- A. I will need to drain the pouch regularly with a catheter.
- B. I will need to wear a drainage bag for the rest of my life.
- C. The drainage from this type of ostomy will be formed.
- D. I will be able to pass stool from the rectum eventually.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A Kock pouch is a continent ileostomy. As the ileostomy begins to function, the client drains it every 3 to 4 hours and then decreases the draining about 3 times a day or as needed when full. The client does not need to wear a drainage bag but should wear an absorbent dressing to absorb mucous drainage from the stoma. Ileostomy drainage is liquid. The client would be able to pass stool only from the rectum if an ileal-anal pouch or anastomosis were created. This type of operation is a two-stage procedure.
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