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. Which of the following laboratory results would be expected in a client with peritonitis?
- A. Partial thromboplastin time above 100 seconds
- B. Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dL
- C. Potassium level above 5.5 mEq/L
- D. White blood cell count above 15,000
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A white blood cell count above 15,000 is indicative of an infection, such as peritonitis.
3. Sharon has cirrhosis of the liver and develops ascites. What intervention is necessary to decrease the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in her peritoneal cavity?
- A. Restrict fluids
- B. Encourage ambulation
- C. Increase sodium in the diet
- D. Give antacids as prescribed
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Restricting fluids is necessary to decrease the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity for a patient with ascites due to cirrhosis.
4. A nurse orientee is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube, and a nurse educator is observing the procedure. Which of the following supplies if obtained by the nurse orientee would indicate a need for further education regarding this procedure?
- A. Half-inch or one-inch tape
- B. Oil-soluble lubricant
- C. A glass of tap water with a straw
- D. A 50-mL catheter tip syringe
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Water-soluble lubricant is used to lubricate 3 to 4 inches of the tube at the insertion end. An oil lubricant is not used because if the tube accidentally goes into the bronchus, pneumonia can develop. Half-inch tape is used to secure the tube after the correct placement is verified. A 50-mL catheter tip syringe is used to aspirate gastric contents to confirm placement. The client will be asked to take a sip of water through a straw to help with the passage of the tube.
5. Britney, a 20 y.o. student is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory findings do you expect to be abnormal for this patient?
- A. Serum creatinine and BUN
- B. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- C. Serum amylase and lipase
- D. Cardiac enzymes
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Serum amylase and lipase levels are typically elevated in patients with acute pancreatitis.
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