Nursing Elites

1. Jerod is experiencing an acute episode of ulcerative colitis. What is the priority for this patient?

• A. Replace lost fluid and sodium.
• B. Monitor for increased serum glucose levels from steroid therapy.
• C. Restrict dietary intake of foods high in potassium.
• D. Note any change in the color and consistency of stools.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to replace lost fluid and sodium. During an acute episode of ulcerative colitis, the priority is to manage the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. This is crucial due to the potential for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances resulting from diarrhea and inflammation in the colon. Monitoring serum glucose levels (Choice B) may be important for patients on steroid therapy, but in this scenario, fluid and electrolyte balance take precedence. Restricting dietary intake of foods high in potassium (Choice C) is not a priority in the acute phase of ulcerative colitis. While noting changes in stool color and consistency (Choice D) is important for assessing the patient's gastrointestinal status, it is not the priority when managing acute ulcerative colitis.

2. A client with ulcerative colitis is diagnosed with a mild case of the disease. The nurse doing dietary teaching gives the client examples of foods to eat that represent which of the following therapeutic diets?

• A. High-fat with milk
• B. High-protein without milk
• C. Low-roughage without milk
• D. Low-roughage with milk

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The client with a mild case of ulcerative colitis is often advised to follow a diet low in roughage and avoid milk. This dietary approach helps reduce the frequency of diarrhea in these clients. Therefore, the correct therapeutic diet for the client with ulcerative colitis in this scenario is a low-roughage diet without milk. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because high-fat, high-protein, and low-roughage with milk diets are not typically recommended for clients with ulcerative colitis, especially those with mild cases.

3. A client is taking an antacid for treatment of a peptic ulcer. Which of the following statements best indicates that the client understands how to correctly take the antacid?

• A. I should take my antacid before I take my other medications.
• B. I need to decrease my intake of fluids so that I don’t dilute the effects of my antacid.
• C. My antacid will be most effective if I take it whenever I experience stomach pains.
• D. It is best for me to take my antacid 1 to 3 hours after meals.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: It is best for the client to take the antacid 1 to 3 hours after meals to ensure effectiveness.

4. If a client had irritable bowel syndrome, which of the following diagnostic tests would determine if the diagnosis is Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

• A. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan
• B. Abdominal x-ray
• C. Barium swallow
• D. Colonoscopy with biopsy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A colonoscopy with biopsy is the most definitive diagnostic test to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

5. 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.

Similar Questions