ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. After gastric resection surgery, which of the following signs and symptoms would alert the nurse to the development of a leaking anastomosis?
- A. Pain, fever, and abdominal rigidity.
- B. Diarrhea with fat in the stool.
- C. Palpitations, pallor, and diaphoresis after eating.
- D. Feelings of fullness and nausea after eating.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain, fever, and abdominal rigidity are signs and symptoms of inflammation or peritonitis caused by the leaking anastomosis. Diarrhea with fat in the stool is steatorrhea and is not present in peritonitis. Palpitations, pallor, and diaphoresis after eating are vasomotor symptoms of gastric retention. Feelings of fullness and nausea after eating are not present in peritonitis.
2. You’re advising a 21 y.o. with a colostomy who reports problems with flatus. What food should you recommend?
- A. Peas
- B. Cabbage
- C. Broccoli
- D. Yogurt
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Yogurt can help reduce problems with flatus in patients with a colostomy.
3. After a subtotal gastrectomy, the nurse should anticipate that nasogastric tube drainage will be what color for about 12 to 24 hours after surgery?
- A. Dark brown
- B. Bile green
- C. Bright red
- D. Cloudy white
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Dark brown drainage is expected for about 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
4. A client is admitted to the hospital after vomiting bright red blood and is diagnosed with a bleeding duodenal ulcer. The client develops a sudden, sharp pain in the midepigastric area along with a rigid, boardlike abdomen. These clinical manifestations most likely indicate which of the following?
- A. An intestinal obstruction has developed
- B. Additional ulcers have developed
- C. The esophagus has become inflamed
- D. The ulcer has perforated
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A sudden, sharp pain in the midepigastric area along with a rigid, boardlike abdomen indicates that the ulcer has perforated.
5. A client with a peptic ulcer reports epigastric pain that frequently awakens her at night, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, and a feeling of anxiety about her health. Based on this information, which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate?
- A. Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements related to anorexia.
- B. Disturbed Sleep Pattern related to epigastric pain
- C. Ineffective Coping related to exacerbation of duodenal ulcer
- D. Activity Intolerance related to abdominal pain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Disturbed Sleep Pattern related to epigastric pain is appropriate because the client reports pain that frequently awakens her at night.
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