ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is monitoring a client for the early signs and symptoms for dumping syndrome. Which symptom indicates this occurrence?
- A. Abdominal cramping and pain
- B. Bradycardia and indigestion
- C. Sweating and pallor
- D. Double vision and chest pain
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Early manifestations of dumping syndrome occur 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Symptoms include vertigo, tachycardia, syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, and the desire to lie down.
2. After an abdominal resection for colon cancer, Madeline returns to her room with a Jackson-Pratt drain in place. The purpose of the drain is to:
- A. Irrigate the incision with a saline solution.
- B. Prevent bacterial infection of the incision.
- C. Measure the amount of fluid lost after surgery.
- D. Prevent accumulation of drainage in the wound.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The purpose of the Jackson-Pratt drain is to prevent the accumulation of drainage in the wound after an abdominal resection.
3. You have to teach ostomy self care to a patient with a colostomy. You tell the patient to measure and cut the wafer:
- A. To the exact size of the stoma.
- B. About 1/16†larger than the stoma.
- C. About 1/8†larger than the stoma.
- D. About 1/4″ larger than the stoma.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The wafer should be measured and cut about 1/8†larger than the stoma to ensure proper fit and prevent skin irritation.
4. A nurse is reviewing the results of serum laboratory studies drawn on a client who is suspected of having hepatitis. The nurse interprets that an elevation in which of the following studies is the most specific indicator of the disease?
- A. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- B. Serum bilirubin
- C. Hemoglobin
- D. Blood urea nitrogen
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Laboratory indicators of hepatitis include elevated liver enzymes, serum bilirubin level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate is nonspecific test that indicates the presence of inflammation somewhere in the body. Elevated blood urea nitrogen may indicate renal dysfunction. A hemoglobin level is unrelated to this diagnosis.
5. Which of the following expected outcomes would be appropriate for the client who has ulcerative colitis?
- A. The client maintains a daily record of intake and output.
- B. The client verbalizes the importance of small, frequent feedings.
- C. The client uses a heating pad to decrease abdominal cramping.
- D. The client accepts that a colostomy is inevitable at some time in his life.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Small, frequent feedings are better tolerated by clients with ulcerative colitis as they lessen the amount of fecal material present in the gastrointestinal tract and decrease stimulation. The client does not need to maintain a daily record of intake and output unless an exacerbation of the disease occurs. A heating pad should not be applied to the intestine as it is inflamed. It is not inevitable that the client will require surgery to treat ulcerative colitis.
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