ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The client has had a new colostomy created 2 days earlier. The client is beginning to pass malodorous flatus from the stoma. The nurse interprets that
- A. This indicates inadequate preoperative bowel preparation.
- B. This is a normal, expected event.
- C. The client is experiencing early signs of ischemic bowel.
- D. The client should not have the nasogastric tube removed.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: As peristalsis returns following creation of a colostomy, the client begins to pass malodorous flatus. This indicates returning bowel function and is an expected event. Within 72 hours of surgery, the client should begin passing stool via the colostomy.
2. The student nurse is preparing a teaching care plan to help improve nutrition in a patient with achalasia. You include which of the following:
- A. Swallow foods while leaning forward.
- B. Omit fluids at mealtimes.
- C. Eat meals sitting upright.
- D. Avoid soft and semisoft foods.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Eating meals while sitting upright helps improve swallowing and prevent complications in patients with achalasia.
3. The nurse is preparing to discontinue a client’s nasogastric tube. The client is positioned properly, and the tube has been flushed with 15 mL of air to clear secretions. Before removing the tube, the nurse makes which statement to the client?
- A. Take a deep breath when I tell you and breathe normally while I remove the tube.
- B. Take a deep breath when I tell you and bear down while I remove the tube.
- C. Take a deep breath when I tell you and slowly exhale while I remove the tube.
- D. Take a deep breath when I tell you and hold it while I remove the tube.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The client should take a deep breath because the client’s airway will be obstructed temporarily during tube removal. The nurse then tells the client to exhale slowly and withdraws the tube during exhalation. Bearing down could inhibit the removal of the tube. Breathing normally could result in aspiration of gastric secretions during inhalation. Holding the breath does not facilitate tube removal.
4. You’re caring for Carin who has just had ileostomy surgery. During the first 24 hours post-op, how much drainage can you expect from the ileostomy?
- A. 100 ml
- B. 500 ml
- C. 1500 ml
- D. 5000 ml
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During the first 24 hours post-op, you can expect about 1500 ml of drainage from the ileostomy.
5. Your patient has a retractable gastric peptic ulcer and has had a gastric vagotomy. Which factor increases as a result of vagotomy?
- A. Peristalsis.
- B. Gastric acidity.
- C. Gastric motility.
- D. Gastric pH.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After a gastric vagotomy, the gastric pH increases as a result of reduced acid secretion.
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