ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A client has a nasogastric tube inserted at the time of abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. This tube will most likely be removed when the client demonstrates:
- A. Absence of nausea and vomiting.
- B. Passage of mucus from the rectum.
- C. Passage of flatus and feces from the colostomy.
- D. Absence of stomach drainage for 24 hours.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A sign indicating that a client's colostomy is open and ready to function is passage of feces and flatus. When this occurs, gastric suction is ordinarily discontinued, and the client is allowed to start taking fluids and food orally. Absence of bowel sounds would indicate that the tube should remain in place because peristalsis has not yet returned. Absence of nausea and vomiting is not a criterion for judging whether or not gastric suction should be continued. Passage of mucus from the rectum will not occur in this client because the rectum is removed in this surgery. Absence of stomach drainage is not a criterion for judging whether or not gastric suction should be continued.
2. You’re caring for Carin who has just had ileostomy surgery. During the first 24 hours post-op, how much drainage can you expect from the ileostomy?
- A. 100 ml
- B. 500 ml
- C. 1500 ml
- D. 5000 ml
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During the first 24 hours post-op, you can expect about 1500 ml of drainage from the ileostomy.
3. A nurse is assigned to a 40-year-old client who has a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. The nurse reviews the laboratory result, anticipating a laboratory report that indicates a serum amylase level of
- A. 45 units/L
- B. 100 units/L
- C. 300 units/L
- D. 500 units/L
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The normal serum amylase level is 25 to 151 IU/L. With chronic cases of pancreatitis, the rise in serum amylase levels usually does not exceed three times the normal value. In acute pancreatitis, the value may exceed five times the normal value. Options 1 and 2 are within normal limits. Option 3 is an extremely elevated level seen in acute pancreatitis.
4. The nurse would assess the client experiencing an acute episode of cholecystitis for pain that is located in the right:
- A. Upper quadrant and radiates to the left scapula and shoulder
- B. Upper quadrant and radiates to the right scapula and shoulder
- C. Lower quadrant and radiates to the umbilicus
- D. Lower quadrant and radiates to the back
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Pain from cholecystitis is typically located in the right upper quadrant and may radiate to the right scapula and shoulder.
5. In a client with Crohn’s disease, which of the following symptoms should not be a direct result from antibiotic therapy?
- A. Decrease in bleeding
- B. Decrease in temperature
- C. Decrease in body weight
- D. Decrease in the number of stools
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Decrease in body weight is not a direct result of antibiotic therapy but may occur due to the underlying disease process.
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