ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. 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.
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 client with ascites is scheduled for a paracentesis. The nurse is assisting the physician in performing the procedure. Which of the following positions will the nurse assist the client to assume for this procedure?
- A. Supine
- B. Left side-lying
- C. Right side-lying
- D. Upright position.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: An upright position allows the intestine to float posteriorly and helps prevent intestinal laceration during catheter insertion.
4. 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.).
5. Donald is a 61 y.o. man with diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is characterized by:
- A. Periodic rectal hemorrhage.
- B. Hypertension and tachycardia.
- C. Vomiting and elevated temperature.
- D. Crampy and lower left quadrant pain and low-grade fever.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Diverticulitis is characterized by crampy lower left quadrant pain and a low-grade fever.
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