Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following symptoms would a client in the early stages of peritonitis exhibit?

• A. Abdominal distention
• B. Abdominal pain and rigidity
• C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
• D. Right upper quadrant pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the early stages of peritonitis, the client would exhibit abdominal pain and rigidity due to inflammation.

2. Regina is a 46 y.o. woman with ulcerative colitis. You expect her stools to look like:

• A. Watery and frothy.
• B. Bloody and mucoid.
• C. Firm and well-formed.
• D. Alternating constipation and diarrhea.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Stools in ulcerative colitis are typically bloody and mucoid.

3. To accurately assess for jaundice in a patient with dark skin pigmentation, the nurse should examine which body areas?

• A. Nail beds
• B. Skin on the back of the hand
• C. Hard palate of the mouth
• D. Soles of the feet

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To accurately assess for jaundice in a patient with dark skin pigmentation, the nurse should examine the hard palate of the mouth. Jaundice is best assessed in the sclera; however, in dark-skinned patients, normal yellow pigmentation may be present in the sclera, making it difficult to detect jaundice. Inspection of the hard palate for a yellow color can confirm the presence of jaundice. Cyanosis is best observed in the nail beds, not indicative of jaundice. While skin on the palm of the hand can indicate jaundice, the back of the hand is not a typical area for assessment. Jaundice can be assessed on the soles of the feet in dark-skinned patients, but it is better visualized in the hard palate for accurate evaluation.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from the operating room following the creation of a colostomy. The nurse is assessing the drainage in the pouch attached to the site where the colostomy was formed and notes serosanguineous drainage. Which nursing action is most appropriate based on this assessment?

• A. Notify the physician
• B. Document the amount and characteristics of the drainage
• C. Apply ice to the stoma site
• D. Apply pressure to the site

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During the first 24 to 72 hours following surgery, mucus and serosanguineous drainage are expected from the stoma. Documenting the amount and characteristics of the drainage is appropriate. The nurse does not need to notify the physician because this is an expected finding. Applying ice or pressure to the site is not necessary.

5. The nurse provides medication instructions to a client with peptic ulcer disease. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates best understanding of the medication therapy?

• A. The cimetidine (Tagamet) will cause me to produce less stomach acid.
• B. Sucralfate (Carafate) will change the fluid in my stomach.
• C. Antacids will coat my stomach.
• D. Omeprazole (Prilosec) will coat the ulcer and help it heal.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cimetidine (Tagamet) a Histamine H2 receptor antagonist, will decrease the secretion of gastric acid. Sucralfate (Carafate) promotes healing by coating the ulcer. Antacids neutralize acid in the stomach. Omeprazole (Prilosec) inhibits gastric acid secretion.

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