Nursing Elites

1. The client with a duodenal ulcer may exhibit which of the following findings on assessment?

• A. Hematemesis
• B. Malnourishment
• C. Melena
• D. Pain with eating

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Melena (black, tarry stools) can be an indication of a duodenal ulcer.

2. 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.

3. The nurse aspirates 40 mL of undigested formula from the client’s nasogastric tube. Before administering an intermittent tube feeding, the nurse understands that the 40 mL of gastric aspirate should be

• A. Discarded properly and recorded as output on the client’s intake and output record.
• B. Poured into the nasogastric tube through a syringe with the plunger removed.
• C. Mixed with the formula and poured into the nasogastric tube through a syringe with the plunger removed.
• D. Diluted with water and injected into the nasogastric tube by putting pressure on the plunger.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After checking the residual feeding contents, the gastric contents are reinstalled into the stomach by removing the syringe bulb or plunger and pouring the gastric contents into the syringe and through the nasogastric tube. Gastric contents should be reinstalled to maintain the client’s electrolyte balance. The gastric contents should be poured into the nasogastric tube through a syringe without a plunger and not injected by putting pressure on the plunger. Gastric contents do not need to be mixed with water or should the contents be discarded.

4. The nurse is doing preoperative teaching with the client who is about to undergo creation of a Kock pouch. The nurse interprets that the client has the best understanding of the nature of the surgery if the client makes which of the following statements?

• A. I will need to drain the pouch regularly with a catheter.
• B. I will need to wear a drainage bag for the rest of my life.
• C. The drainage from this type of ostomy will be formed.
• D. I will be able to pass stool from the rectum eventually.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A Kock pouch is a continent ileostomy. As the ileostomy begins to function, the client drains it every 3 to 4 hours and then decreases the draining about 3 times a day or as needed when full. The client does not need to wear a drainage bag but should wear an absorbent dressing to absorb mucous drainage from the stoma. Ileostomy drainage is liquid. The client would be able to pass stool only from the rectum if an ileal-anal pouch or anastomosis were created. This type of operation is a two-stage procedure.

5. Which of the following techniques would the nurse use first to determine if a nasogastric tube is positioned in the stomach?

• A. Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents.
• B. Irrigating with normal saline and observing for the return of solution.
• C. Placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles.
• D. Instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area for the presence of the tube.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The initial way to determine if a nasogastric tube is in the stomach is to apply suction to the tube with a syringe and observe for the return of stomach contents. Then the pH of the aspirate can be measured. This is the method of choice. One would not irrigate until tube placement is confirmed. Observing for air bubbles when the free end of the tube is placed under water is an unacceptable, unsafe method of determining tube placement. Another method is to instill air into the tube with a syringe while auscultating over the epigastric area. Hearing the air enter the stomach helps ensure proper placement, but the method is not foolproof and is no longer considered an effective or preferred way to determine placement.

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