ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The client with chronic pancreatitis needs information on dietary modification to manage the health problem. The nurse teaches the client to limit which of the following items in the diet?
- A. Carbohydrate
- B. Protein
- C. Fat
- D. Water-soluble vitamins
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The client should limit fat in the diet. The client also should take in small meals, which also will reduce the amount of carbohydrates and protein that the client must digest at any one time. The client does not need to limit water-soluble vitamins in the diet.
2. The nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client with acute gastritis. Which medication if noted on the client’s record, would the nurse question?
- A. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- B. Indomethacin (Indocin)
- C. Furosemide (Lasix)
- D. Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Indomethacin (Indocin) is a Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and can cause ulceration of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or small intestine. Indomethacin is contraindicated in a client with gastrointestinal disorders. Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic. Digoxin is an antidysrhythmic. Propranolol (Inderal) is a B- adrenergic blocker. Furosemide, digoxin, and propranolol are not contraindicated in clients with gastric disorders.
3. A client is admitted to the hospital after vomiting bright red blood and is diagnosed with a bleeding duodenal ulcer. The client develops a sudden, sharp pain in the midepigastric area along with a rigid, boardlike abdomen. These clinical manifestations most likely indicate which of the following?
- A. An intestinal obstruction has developed
- B. Additional ulcers have developed
- C. The esophagus has become inflamed
- D. The ulcer has perforated
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A sudden, sharp pain in the midepigastric area along with a rigid, boardlike abdomen indicates that the ulcer has perforated.
4. The home care nurse is visiting a client with a diagnosis of pernicious anemia that developed as a result of gastric surgery. The nurse instructs the client that because the stomach lining produces a decreased amount of intrinsic factor in this disorder, the client will need
- A. Vitamin B12 injections
- B. Vitamin B6 injections
- C. An antibiotic
- D. An antacid
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12 occurs in pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 is needed for the maturation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 is not necessarily needed for pernicious anemia and can be taken orally. An antibiotic and antacids may be prescribed for certain types of gastric ulcers.
5. The hospitalized client with GERD is complaining of chest discomfort that feels like heartburn following a meal. After administering an ordered antacid, the nurse encourages the client to lie in which of the following positions?
- A. Supine with the head of the bed flat
- B. On the stomach with the head flat
- C. On the left side with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
- D. On the right side with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Lying on the left side with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees helps prevent reflux by keeping stomach contents from moving up into the esophagus.
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