a client with a history of gastric ulcer suddenly complains of a sharp severe pain in the mid epigastric area which then spreads over the entire abdom
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions

1. A client with a history of gastric ulcer suddenly complains of a sharp-severe pain in the mid epigastric area, which then spreads over the entire abdomen. The client’s abdomen is rigid and board-like to palpation, and the client obtains most comfort from lying in the knee-chest position. The nurse calls the physician immediately suspecting that the client is experiencing which of the following complications of peptic ulcer disease?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The signs and symptoms described in the question are consistent with perforation of the ulcer, which then progresses to peritonitis if the perforation is large enough. The client with intestinal obstruction most likely would complain of abdominal pain, distension, and nausea and vomiting. The client with hemorrhage would be vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material or would be expelling black, tarry, or bloody stools. Intractability is a term that refers to continued symptoms of a disease process, despite ongoing medical treatment.

2. Glenda has cholelithiasis (gallstones). You expect her to complain of:

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Patients with cholelithiasis often complain of pain in the right upper quadrant, radiating to the shoulder.

3. Which of the following mechanisms can facilitate the development of diverticulosis into diverticulitis?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Undigested food blocking the diverticulum can lead to bacterial invasion, causing inflammation and turning diverticulosis into diverticulitis. Choices A, B, and C do not directly facilitate the development of diverticulitis. Choice A involves a different mechanism related to laxative use, choice B describes a complication of chronic constipation but does not necessarily lead to diverticulitis, and choice C refers to a different condition involving herniation of the intestinal mucosa.

4. A nurse is preparing to remove a nasogastric tube from a client. The nurse would instruct the client to do which of the following just before the nurse removes the tube?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When the nurse removes a nasogastric tube, the client is instructed to take and hold a deep breath. This will be obstructed temporarily during the tube removal. This allows for easy withdrawal through the esophagus into the nose. The nurse removes the tube with one smooth, continuous pull.

5. Your patient Maria takes NSAIDS for her degenerative joint disease, has developed peptic ulcer disease. Which drug is useful in preventing NSAID-induced peptic ulcer disease?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Misoprostol (Cytotec) is useful in preventing NSAID-induced peptic ulcer disease.

Similar Questions

Which of the following definitions best describes gastritis?
When counseling a client in ways to prevent cholecystitis, which of the following guidelines is most important?
When planning care for a client with ulcerative colitis who is experiencing symptoms, which client care activities can the nurse appropriately delegate to a unlicensed assistant?
Stephen is a 62 y.o. patient that has had a liver biopsy. Which of the following groups of signs alert you to a possible pneumothorax?
Which of the following conditions is most likely to directly cause peritonitis?

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