ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who will be returning to a nursing unit following a percutaneous transhephatic cholangiogram. The nurse includes which intervention in the postprocedure plan of care?
- A. Place a sandbag over the insertion site.
- B. Allow the client bathroom privileges only.
- C. Encourage fluid intake.
- D. Allow the client to sit in a chair for meals.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Following this procedure, the nurse monitors the client’s vital signs closely for indications of hemorrhage and observes the needle insertion site for bleeding and bile leakage. A sandbag is placed over the insertion site to prevent bleeding. The client is maintained on bedrest, and oral intake is avoided in the immediate postprocedure period in case surgery is necessary to control hemorrhage of bile extravasation.
2. Mucosal barrier fortifiers are used in peptic ulcer disease management for which of the following indications?
- A. To inhibit mucus production
- B. To neutralize acid production
- C. To stimulate mucus production
- D. To stimulate hydrogen ion diffusion back into the mucosa
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Mucosal barrier fortifiers stimulate mucus production, which helps protect the lining of the stomach and manage peptic ulcer disease.
3. Which of the following techniques would the nurse use first to determine if a nasogastric tube is positioned in the stomach?
- A. Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents.
- B. Irrigating with normal saline and observing for the return of solution.
- C. Placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles.
- D. Instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area for the presence of the tube.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The initial way to determine if a nasogastric tube is in the stomach is to apply suction to the tube with a syringe and observe for the return of stomach contents. Then the pH of the aspirate can be measured. This is the method of choice. One would not irrigate until tube placement is confirmed. Observing for air bubbles when the free end of the tube is placed under water is an unacceptable, unsafe method of determining tube placement. Another method is to instill air into the tube with a syringe while auscultating over the epigastric area. Hearing the air enter the stomach helps ensure proper placement, but the method is not foolproof and is no longer considered an effective or preferred way to determine placement.
4. The nurse provides medication instructions to a client with peptic ulcer disease. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates the 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) works by reducing stomach acid production, which helps to manage peptic ulcer disease.
5. Which of the following tests should be administered to a client suspected of having diverticulosis?
- A. Abdominal ultrasound
- B. Barium enema
- C. Barium swallow
- D. Gastroscopy
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A barium enema is a diagnostic test used to visualize the colon and can help diagnose diverticulosis.
Similar Questions
Access More Features
ATI RN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days
- 5,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access
ATI RN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days
- 5,000 Questions with answers
- All ATI courses Coverage
- 30 days access