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. Which of the following associated disorders may the client with Crohn’s disease exhibit?
- A. Ankylosing spondylitis
- B. Colon cancer
- C. Malabsorption
- D. Lactase deficiency
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Clients with Crohn's disease may exhibit associated disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis, which is an inflammatory condition affecting the spine.
3. Kevin has a history of peptic ulcer disease and vomits coffee-ground emesis. What does this indicate?
- A. He has fresh, active upper GI bleeding.
- B. He needs immediate saline gastric lavage.
- C. His gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
- D. He needs a transfusion of packed RBCs.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that occurred approximately 2 hours earlier. It results from the breakdown of blood in the stomach due to digestive enzymes, giving it a coffee-ground appearance. Choice A is incorrect because coffee-ground emesis indicates older, partially digested blood, not fresh active bleeding. Choice B is incorrect as gastric lavage is not indicated for coffee-ground emesis. Choice D is incorrect because a transfusion of packed RBCs is not the immediate management for this presentation.
4. Which of the following terms best describes the pain associated with appendicitis?
- A. Aching
- B. Fleeting
- C. Intermittent
- D. Steady
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Steady. The pain associated with appendicitis is typically constant and steady, especially in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. It is not described as aching (choice A) because it is more persistent and severe than a dull ache. It is not fleeting (choice B) as appendicitis pain tends to worsen over time. It is also not intermittent (choice C) as the pain is continuous and does not come and go.
5. Kevin has a history of peptic ulcer disease and vomits coffee-ground emesis. What does this indicate?
- A. He has fresh, active upper GI bleeding.
- B. He needs immediate saline gastric lavage.
- C. His gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
- D. He needs a transfusion of packed RBC’s.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis indicates that the gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
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