ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse expect to note if the client indeed has appendicitis?
- A. Leukopenia with a shift to the right
- B. Leukocytosis with a shift to the right
- C. Leukocytosis with a shift to the left
- D. Leukopenia with a shift to the left
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Laboratory findings do not establish the diagnosis of appendicitis, but often moderate elevation of the white blood cell count (leukocytosis) to 10,000 to 18,000 cells/mm3 occurs with a “shift to the left” (an increased number of immature white blood cells.).
2. After a subtotal gastrectomy, care of the client’s nasogastric tube and drainage system should include which of the following nursing interventions?
- A. Irrigate the tube with 30 ml of sterile water every hour, if needed.
- B. Reposition the tube if it is not draining well
- C. Monitor the client for N/V, and abdominal distention
- D. Turn the machine to high suction of the drainage is sluggish on low suction.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Monitoring the client for nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention is crucial for ensuring proper functioning of the nasogastric tube and drainage system.
3. The nurse is performing a colostomy irrigation on a client. During the irrigation, a client begins to complain of abdominal cramps. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
- A. Notify the physician
- B. Increase the height of the irrigation
- C. Stop the irrigation temporarily.
- D. Medicate with dilaudid and resume the irrigation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: If a client experiences abdominal cramps during a colostomy irrigation, it is appropriate to stop the irrigation temporarily to allow the cramps to subside.
4. In a client with Crohn’s disease, which of the following symptoms should not be a direct result from antibiotic therapy?
- A. Decrease in bleeding
- B. Decrease in temperature
- C. Decrease in body weight
- D. Decrease in the number of stools
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Decrease in body weight is not a direct result of antibiotic therapy but may occur due to the underlying disease process.
5. The nurse has inserted a nasogastric tube to the level of the oropharynx and has repositioned the client’s head in a flexed-forward position. The client has been asked to begin swallowing. The nurse starts slowly to advance the nasogastric tube with each swallow. The client begins to cough, gag, and choke. Which nursing action would least likely result in proper tube insertion and promote client relaxation?
- A. Continuing to advance the tube to the desired distance
- B. Pulling the tube back slightly
- C. Checking the back of the pharynx using a tongue blade and flashlight.
- D. Instructing the client to breathe slowly and take sips of water.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: As the nasogastric tube is passed through the oropharynx, the gag reflex is stimulated, which may cause coughing, gagging, or choking. Instead of passing through to the esophagus, the nasogastric tube may coil around itself in the oropharynx, or it may enter the larynx and obstruct the airway, pulling the tube back slightly will remove it from the larynx; advancing the tube might position it in the trachea. Swallowing closes the epiglottis over the trachea and helps move the tube into the esophagus. Slow breathing helps the client relax to reduce the gag response. The nurse should check the back of the client’s throat to note if the tube has coiled. The tube may be advanced after the client relaxes.
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