a nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client the nurse determines that which of the following findings should be reported to the physicia
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions

1. During an abdominal assessment, a nurse finds pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis on a client. What finding should be reported to the physician?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The presence of pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis could indicate an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a serious condition and should be reported to the physician promptly. A concave, midline umbilicus is a normal finding. Bowel sound frequency can vary widely and is not a cause for concern at 15 sounds per minute. Absence of a bruit is a normal finding in an abdominal assessment and does not require reporting.

2. The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse expect to note if the client indeed has appendicitis?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Laboratory findings do not establish the diagnosis of appendicitis, but often moderate elevation of the white blood cell count (leukocytosis) to 10,000 to 18,000 cells/mm3 occurs with a “shift to the left” (an increased number of immature white blood cells.).

3. A client who has ulcerative colitis has persistent diarrhea. He is thin and has lost 12 pounds since the exacerbation of his ulcerative colitis. The nurse should anticipate that the physician will order which of the following treatment approaches to help the client meet his nutritional needs?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Implementing total parenteral nutrition helps meet the nutritional needs of a client with persistent diarrhea and significant weight loss due to ulcerative colitis.

4. Findings during an endoscopic exam include a cobblestone appearance of the colon in your patient. The findings are characteristic of which disorder?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The cobblestone appearance of the colon is characteristic of Crohn’s disease.

5. You’re caring for a 28 y.o. woman with hepatitis B. She’s concerned about the duration of her recovery. Which response isn’t appropriate?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the patient to not worry about the future is not appropriate. Instead, address her concerns and provide information.

Similar Questions

Which of the following activities should the nurse encourage the client with a peptic ulcer to avoid?
Which of the following best describes the method of action of medications, such as ranitidine (Zantac), which are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease?
In a client with diarrhea, which outcome indicates that fluid resuscitation is successful?
Which goal of the client’s care should take priority during the first days of hospitalization for an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis?
A nurse has been caring for a client with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The physician arrives on the nursing unit and deflates the esophageal balloon. The nurse should monitor the client most closely for which of the following?

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