ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is performing an assessment on a client with acute pancreatitis who was admitted to the hospital. Which of the following assessment questions most specifically would elicit information regarding the pain that is associated with acute pancreatitis?
- A. Does the pain in your abdomen radiate to your groin.
- B. Does the pain in your stomach radiate to the back?
- C. Does the pain in your stomach radiate to your lower middle abdomen?
- D. Does the pain in your lower abdomen radiate to the hip?
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The pain that is associated with acute pancreatitis is often severe and is located in the epigastric region and radiates to the back. Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect because they are not specific for the pain experienced by the client with pancreatitis.
2. After gastric resection surgery, which of the following signs and symptoms would alert the nurse to the development of a leaking anastomosis?
- A. Pain, fever, and abdominal rigidity.
- B. Diarrhea with fat in the stool.
- C. Palpitations, pallor, and diaphoresis after eating.
- D. Feelings of fullness and nausea after eating.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain, fever, and abdominal rigidity are signs and symptoms of inflammation or peritonitis caused by the leaking anastomosis. Diarrhea with fat in the stool is steatorrhea and is not present in peritonitis. Palpitations, pallor, and diaphoresis after eating are vasomotor symptoms of gastric retention. Feelings of fullness and nausea after eating are not present in peritonitis.
3. The nurse is monitoring a client for the early signs of 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: Sweating and pallor are early signs of dumping syndrome, a condition where food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine.
4. The nurse is doing an admission assessment on a client with a history of duodenal ulcer. To determine whether the problem is currently active, the nurse would assess the client for which of the following most frequent symptom(s) of duodenal ulcer?
- A. Pain that is relieved by food intake
- B. Pain that radiated down the right arm
- C. N/V
- D. Weight loss
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain that is relieved by food intake is the most frequent symptom of duodenal ulcers because the food neutralizes the stomach acid.
5. The client has had a new colostomy created 2 days earlier. The client is beginning to pass malodorous flatus from the stoma. The nurse interprets that
- A. This indicates inadequate preoperative bowel preparation.
- B. This is a normal, expected event.
- C. The client is experiencing early signs of ischemic bowel.
- D. The client should not have the nasogastric tube removed.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: As peristalsis returns following creation of a colostomy, the client begins to pass malodorous flatus. This indicates returning bowel function and is an expected event. Within 72 hours of surgery, the client should begin passing stool via the colostomy.
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