Nursing Elites

1. George has a T tube in place after gallbladder surgery. Before discharge, what information or instructions should be given regarding the T tube drainage?

• A. If there is any drainage, notify the surgeon immediately.
• B. The drainage will decrease daily until the bile duct heals.
• C. First, the drainage is dark green; then it becomes dark yellow.
• D. If the drainage stops, milk the tube toward the puncture wound.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Before discharge, inform the patient that the drainage will decrease daily until the bile duct heals.

2. You’re assessing the stoma of a patient with a healthy, well-healed colostomy. You expect the stoma to appear:

• A. Pale, pink and moist
• B. Red and moist
• C. Dark or purple colored
• D. Dry and black

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A healthy, well-healed colostomy stoma should appear red and moist.

3. If a gastric acid perforates, which of the following actions should not be included in the immediate management of the client?

• A. Blood replacement
• B. Antacid administration
• C. Nasogastric tube suction
• D. Fluid and electrolyte replacement

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Antacid administration should not be included in the immediate management of a gastric perforation.

4. Which of the following techniques would the nurse use first to determine if a nasogastric tube is positioned in the stomach?

• A. Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents.
• B. Irrigating with normal saline and observing for the return of solution.
• C. Placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles.
• D. Instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area for the presence of the tube.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The initial way to determine if a nasogastric tube is in the stomach is to apply suction to the tube with a syringe and observe for the return of stomach contents. Then the pH of the aspirate can be measured. This is the method of choice. One would not irrigate until tube placement is confirmed. Observing for air bubbles when the free end of the tube is placed under water is an unacceptable, unsafe method of determining tube placement. Another method is to instill air into the tube with a syringe while auscultating over the epigastric area. Hearing the air enter the stomach helps ensure proper placement, but the method is not foolproof and is no longer considered an effective or preferred way to determine placement.

5. You’re caring for Jane, a 57 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who develops ascites and requires paracentesis. Before her paracentesis, you instruct her to:

• A. Empty her bladder.
• B. Lie supine in bed.
• C. Remain NPO for 4 hours.
• D. Clean her bowels with an enema.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Before paracentesis, instruct the patient to empty her bladder to avoid bladder injury during the procedure.

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