Nursing Elites

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. Lactulose (Chronulac) is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse would determine that this medication has had a therapeutic effect if which of the following is noted?

• A. Increased red blood cell count
• B. Decreased serum ammonia level
• C. Increased protein level
• D. Decreased white blood cell level

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Lactulose is prescribed for the client with hepatic encephalopathy to reduce bacterial breakdown of protein in the bowel. The medication creates an acidic environment in the bowel and causes the ammonia to leave the bloodstream and enter the colon. Ammonia then becomes trapped in the bowel. Lactulose also has a laxative effect that allows for the elimination of the ammonia.

3. 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.

4. The nurse is teaching the client how to perform a colostomy irrigation. To enhance the effectiveness of the irrigation and fecal returns, what measure should the nurse instruct the client to do?

• A. Increase fluid intake
• B. Reduce the amount of irrigation solution
• C. Perform the irrigation in the evening
• D. Place heat on the abdomen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Increasing fluid intake helps to enhance the effectiveness of colostomy irrigation by softening the stool and promoting better fecal return.

5. Matt is a 49 y.o. with a hiatal hernia that you are about to counsel. Health care counseling for Matt should include which of the following instructions?

• A. Restrict intake of high-carbohydrate foods.
• B. Increase fluid intake with meals.
• C. Increase fat intake.
• D. Eat three regular meals a day.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: For a patient with a hiatal hernia, it is important to eat three regular meals a day to prevent symptoms.

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