ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. Cholestyramine resin (Questran Light) is prescribed for the client with an elevated serum cholesterol level. The nurse would instruct the client to take the medication
- A. After meals.
- B. Mixed with fruit juice.
- C. Via rectal suppository.
- D. At least 3 hours before meals.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cholestyramine resin binds with bile salts in the intestines to form a compound that is excreted in the feces. The client should be instructed to mix the medication with 3 to 6 oz of water, milk, fruit juice, or soup. The medication should be administered before meals. The medication is not administered via rectal suppository.
2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Which of the following symptoms should the nurse expect the client to report when responding to questions about his bowel elimination pattern?
- A. Constipation.
- B. Bloody, diarrheal stools.
- C. Steatorrhea.
- D. Alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Diarrhea is the primary symptom of ulcerative colitis. It is profuse and severe; the client may pass as many as 15 to 20 watery stools per day. Stools may contain blood, mucus, and pus. The frequent diarrhea is often accompanied by anorexia and nausea. Constipation is not a sign or symptom of ulcerative colitis. Steatorrhea (fatty stools) is more typical of pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Alternating diarrhea and constipation is associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
3. A patient has an acute upper GI hemorrhage. Your interventions include:
- A. Treating hypovolemia.
- B. Treating hypervolemia.
- C. Controlling the bleeding source.
- D. Treating shock and diagnosing the bleeding source.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: For a patient with an acute upper GI hemorrhage, your interventions include treating shock and diagnosing the bleeding source.
4. After abdominal surgery, your patient has a severe coughing episode that causes wound evisceration. In addition to calling the doctor, which intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Irrigate the wound & organs with Betadine.
- B. Cover the wound with a saline soaked sterile dressing.
- C. Apply a dry sterile dressing & binder.
- D. Push the organs back & cover with moist sterile dressings.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Covering the wound with a saline soaked sterile dressing is the most appropriate intervention for wound evisceration.
5. Findings during an endoscopic exam include a cobblestone appearance of the colon in your patient. The findings are characteristic of which disorder?
- A. Ulcer
- B. Crohn’s disease
- C. Chronic gastritis
- D. Ulcerative colitis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The cobblestone appearance of the colon is characteristic of Crohn’s disease.
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