Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A patient who underwent abdominal surgery now has a gaping incision due to delayed wound healing. Which method is correct when you irrigate a gaping abdominal incision with sterile normal saline solution, using a piston syringe?

• A. Rapidly instill a stream of irrigating solution into the wound.
• B. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing to the wound after the irrigation.
• C. Moisten the area around the wound with normal saline solution after the irrigation.
• D. Irrigate continuously until the solution becomes clear or all of the solution is used.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Irrigating continuously until the solution becomes clear or all of the solution is used is the correct method when irrigating a gaping abdominal incision.

3. The client with ascites is scheduled for a paracentesis. The nurse is assisting the physician in performing the procedure. Which of the following positions will the nurse assist the client to assume for this procedure?

• A. Supine
• B. Left side-lying
• C. Right side-lying
• D. Upright position.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An upright position allows the intestine to float posteriorly and helps prevent intestinal laceration during catheter insertion.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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