Nursing Elites

1. Of the following signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction, which is related primarily to small bowel obstruction rather than large bowel obstruction?

• A. Profuse vomiting.
• B. Cramping abdominal pain.
• C. Abdominal distention.
• D. High-pitched bowel sounds above the obstruction.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Profuse vomiting is the classic sign of small bowel obstruction and rarely occurs with large bowel obstruction. Abdominal discomfort and distention are present in both small and large bowel obstructions, but distention is more common in large bowel obstruction. High-pitched bowel sounds indicate hyperperistalsis, which occurs early in obstruction.

2. What information is correct about stomach cancer?

• A. Stomach pain is often a late symptom.
• B. Surgery is often a successful treatment.
• C. Chemotherapy and radiation are often successful treatments.
• D. The patient can survive for an extended time with TPN.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Stomach pain is often a late symptom of stomach cancer.

3. A client has a nasogastric tube inserted at the time of abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. This tube will most likely be removed when the client demonstrates:

• A. Absence of nausea and vomiting.
• B. Passage of mucus from the rectum.
• C. Passage of flatus and feces from the colostomy.
• D. Absence of stomach drainage for 24 hours.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A sign indicating that a client's colostomy is open and ready to function is passage of feces and flatus. When this occurs, gastric suction is ordinarily discontinued, and the client is allowed to start taking fluids and food orally. Absence of bowel sounds would indicate that the tube should remain in place because peristalsis has not yet returned. Absence of nausea and vomiting is not a criterion for judging whether or not gastric suction should be continued. Passage of mucus from the rectum will not occur in this client because the rectum is removed in this surgery. Absence of stomach drainage is not a criterion for judging whether or not gastric suction should be continued.

4. In a client with diarrhea, which outcome indicates that fluid resuscitation is successful?

• A. The client passes formed stools at regular intervals
• B. The client reports a decrease in stool frequency and liquidity
• C. The client exhibits firm skin turgor
• D. The client no longer experiences perianal burning

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Firm skin turgor indicates adequate hydration, which is a key goal of fluid resuscitation. Formed stools, decreased stool frequency, and relief from perianal burning are important but do not directly indicate successful fluid resuscitation.

5. A client has been taking aluminum hydroxide 30 mL six times per day at home to treat his peptic ulcer. He tells the nurse that he has been unable to have a bowel movement for 3 days. Based on this information, the nurse would determine that which of the following is the most likely cause of the client’s constipation?

• A. The client has not been including enough fiber in his diet
• B. The client needs to increase his daily exercise
• C. The client is experiencing a side effect of the aluminum hydroxide.
• D. The client has developed a gastrointestinal obstruction.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The client is experiencing a common side effect of aluminum hydroxide, which is constipation.

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