a 30 year old woman is admitted to the hospital with complaints of severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea the nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions

1. A 30-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with complaints of severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the patient's intravenous therapy. Which of the following laboratory tests BEST reflects hydration status?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hematocrit is the best indicator of hydration status because it reflects the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. An increased hematocrit indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Choice A) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, not hydration status. White blood cell count (Choice B) is an indicator of infection or inflammation. Serum glucose (Choice D) is used to monitor blood sugar levels, not hydration status.

2. You’re caring for Jane, a 57 y.o. patient with liver cirrhosis who develops ascites and requires paracentesis. Before her paracentesis, you instruct her to:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Before paracentesis, instruct the patient to empty her bladder to avoid bladder injury during the procedure.

3. Which of the following laboratory results would be expected in a client with peritonitis?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A white blood cell count above 15,000 is indicative of an infection, such as peritonitis.

4. The nurse develops a plan of care for a client with a T tube. Which one of the following nursing interventions should be included?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct nursing intervention to include in the plan of care for a client with a T tube is to inspect the skin around the T tube daily for irritation. Bile is erosive and can cause skin irritation, so it is crucial to keep the skin clean and dry. T tubes are not routinely irrigated; irrigation is done only with a physician's order. It is unnecessary to maintain the client in a supine position; instead, assist the client into a position of comfort. T tubes are not typically clamped unless ordered by a physician, and if clamped, it is usually done 1 to 2 hours before and after meals.

5. The nurse has given instructions to the client with an ileostomy about foods to eat to thicken the stool. The nurse determines that the client needs further instructions if the client stated to eat which of the following foods to make the stools less watery?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Bran is high in fiber and should not be consumed to thicken the stool as it will make the stools more watery.

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