ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. 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.
2. Which of the following factors is believed to be linked to Crohn’s disease?
- A. Constipation
- B. Diet
- C. Hereditary
- D. Lack of exercise
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Crohn's disease is believed to have a hereditary link, with genetic factors playing a significant role in its development.
3. To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a client with hiatal hernia, the nurse should provide which discharge instructions?
- A. Lie down after meals to promote digestion.
- B. Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages.
- C. Take antacids before meals.
- D. Limit fluids with meals.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: To prevent reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, the nurse should advise the client to avoid foods and beverages that tend to increase stomach acid, such as coffee and alcohol. The nurse also should teach the client to avoid lying down after meals, which can aggravate reflux, and to take antacids after eating. The client doesn't need to limit fluids with meals as long as the fluids aren't gastric irritants.
4. The client has orders for a nasogastric (NG) tube insertion. During the procedure, instructions that will assist in the insertion would be:
- A. Instruct the client to tilt his head back for insertion in the nostril, then flex his neck for the final insertion
- B. After insertion into the nostril, instruct the client to extend his neck
- C. Introduce the tube with the client’s head tilted back, then instruct him to keep his head upright for final insertion
- D. Instruct the client to hold his chin down, then back for insertion of the tube
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Instructing the client to tilt his head back for insertion in the nostril, then flex his neck for the final insertion helps facilitate the NG tube insertion.
5. 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 RBCs.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that occurred approximately 2 hours earlier. It results from the breakdown of blood in the stomach due to digestive enzymes, giving it a coffee-ground appearance. Choice A is incorrect because coffee-ground emesis indicates older, partially digested blood, not fresh active bleeding. Choice B is incorrect as gastric lavage is not indicated for coffee-ground emesis. Choice D is incorrect because a transfusion of packed RBCs is not the immediate management for this presentation.
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