ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse is reviewing the orders of a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Select the interventions that the nurse would expect to be prescribed for the client.
- A. Small, frequent high-calorie feedings.
- B. Meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed for pain.
- C. Place the client in a side-lying position with the head elevated 45-degrees.
- D. Administer antacids and anticholinergics to suppress gastrointestinal secretions.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with acute pancreatitis is to prescribe pain medications such as meperidine to manage the abdominal pain, which is a prominent symptom of the condition. The other options are incorrect because: A) Clients with acute pancreatitis are normally placed on NPO (nothing by mouth) status to rest the pancreas, so small, frequent high-calorie feedings are not indicated. C) Placing the client in a side-lying position with the head elevated 45-degrees helps decrease tension on the abdomen and may ease pain, but it is not a standard intervention for acute pancreatitis. D) Administering antacids and anticholinergics to suppress gastrointestinal secretions is not a routine intervention for acute pancreatitis.
2. Eleanor, a 62 y.o. woman with diverticulosis is your patient. Which interventions would you expect to include in her care?
- A. Low-fiber diet and fluid restrictions.
- B. Total parenteral nutrition and bed rest.
- C. High-fiber diet and administration of psyllium.
- D. Administration of analgesics and antacids.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Care for a patient with diverticulosis includes a high-fiber diet and administration of psyllium.
3. A client is recovering from an ileostomy that was performed to treat inflammatory bowel disease. During discharge teaching for this client, the nurse should stress:
- A. increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
- B. wearing an appliance pouch at all times.
- C. consuming a low-protein, high-fiber diet.
- D. avoiding enteric-coated medications.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration. An ileostomy typically drains liquid waste, so the client is at risk of fluid loss. By increasing fluid intake, the client can prevent dehydration. It's essential for the client to wear a collection appliance at all times because ileostomy drainage is incontinent. Consuming a low-protein, high-fiber diet is not recommended as high-fiber foods can cause intestinal irritation. Enteric-coated medications should be avoided because they may not be absorbed properly after an ileostomy.
4. The client has been admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The nurse would assess this client for pain that is:
- A. Severe and unrelenting, located in the epigastric area and radiating to the back.
- B. Severe and unrelenting, located in the left lower quadrant and radiating to the groin.
- C. Burning and aching, located in the epigastric area and radiating to the umbilicus.
- D. Burning and aching, located in the left lower quadrant and radiating to the hip.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis typically presents with severe, unrelenting pain in the epigastric area that radiates to the back. This pain is due to inflammation and autodigestion of the pancreas.
5. A client with a peptic ulcer is scheduled for a vagotomy. The client asks the nurse about the purpose of this procedure. The nurse tells the client that the procedure:
- A. Decreases food absorption in the stomach
- B. Heals the gastric mucosa
- C. Halts stress reactions
- D. Reduces the stimulus to acid secretions
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A vagotomy reduces the stimulus to acid secretions by cutting the vagus nerve, which innervates the stomach.
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