ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is caring for a client who underwent a subtotal gastrectomy. To manage dumping syndrome, the nurse should advise the client to:
- A. restrict fluid intake to 1 qt (1,000 ml)/day.
- B. drink liquids only with meals.
- C. don't drink liquids 2 hours before meals.
- D. drink liquids only between meals.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A client who experiences dumping syndrome after a subtotal gastrectomy should be advised to ingest liquids between meals rather than with meals. Taking fluids between meals allows for adequate hydration, reduces the amount of bulk ingested with meals, and aids in preventing rapid gastric emptying. There is no need to restrict the amount of fluids, just the time when the client drinks fluids. Drinking liquids with meals increases the risk of dumping syndrome by increasing the amount of bulk and stimulating rapid gastric emptying. Small amounts of water are allowable before meals.
2. A client is suspected of having hepatitis. Which diagnostic test results will assist in confirming this diagnosis?
- A. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- B. Elevated serum bilirubin
- C. Elevated hemoglobin
- D. Elevated blood urea nitrogen
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Laboratory indicators of hepatitis include elevated liver enzyme levels, elevated serum bilirubin levels, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and leucopenia. An elevated blood urea nitrogen may indicate renal dysfunction. A hemoglobin level is unrelated to this diagnosis.
3. Your patient has a GI tract that is functioning, but has the inability to swallow foods. Which is the preferred method of feeding for your patient?
- A. TPN
- B. PPN
- C. NG feeding
- D. Oral liquid supplements
Correct answer: C
Rationale: NG feeding is the preferred method for patients with a functioning GI tract but an inability to swallow foods.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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