ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The client with a colostomy has an order for irrigation of the colostomy. The nurse uses which solution for the irrigation?
- A. Distilled water
- B. Tap water
- C. Sterile water
- D. Lactated Ringer’s
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct solution to use for the irrigation of a colostomy is warm tap water or saline solution. If tap water is not suitable for drinking, bottled water can be used. Distilled water, sterile water, and Lactated Ringer’s are not appropriate solutions for colostomy irrigation. Distilled water lacks essential minerals, sterile water may not provide adequate cleaning, and Lactated Ringer’s is not indicated for this procedure.
2. 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 RBC’s.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis indicates that the gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
3. A client with a history of gastric ulcer suddenly complains of a sharp-severe pain in the mid epigastric area, which then spreads over the entire abdomen. The client’s abdomen is rigid and board-like to palpation, and the client obtains most comfort from lying in the knee-chest position. The nurse calls the physician immediately suspecting that the client is experiencing which of the following complications of peptic ulcer disease?
- A. Perforation
- B. Obstruction
- C. Hemorrhage
- D. Intractability
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The signs and symptoms described in the question are consistent with perforation of the ulcer, which then progresses to peritonitis if the perforation is large enough. The client with intestinal obstruction most likely would complain of abdominal pain, distension, and nausea and vomiting. The client with hemorrhage would be vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material or would be expelling black, tarry, or bloody stools. Intractability is a term that refers to continued symptoms of a disease process, despite ongoing medical treatment.
4. A client is to take one daily dose of ranitidine (Zantac) at home to treat her peptic ulcer. The nurse knows that the client understands proper drug administration of ranitidine when she says that she will take the drug at which of the following times?
- A. Before meals
- B. With meals
- C. At bedtime
- D. When pain occurs
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ranitidine (Zantac) is best taken at bedtime to reduce stomach acid production overnight.
5. Radiation therapy is used to treat colon cancer before surgery for which of the following reasons?
- A. Reducing the size of the tumor
- B. Eliminating the malignant cells
- C. Curing the cancer
- D. Helping the bowel heal after surgery
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Radiation therapy is used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, making it easier to remove.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days
- 5,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access
ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days
- 5,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access