Nursing Elites

1. The client being seen in a physician’s office has just been scheduled for a barium swallow the next day. The nurse writes down which of the following instructions for the client to follow before the test?

• A. Fast for 8 hours before the test.
• B. Eat a regular supper and breakfast.
• C. Continue to take all oral medications as scheduled.
• D. Monitor own bowel movement pattern for constipation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A barium swallow is an x-ray study that uses a substance called barium for contrast to highlight abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract. The client should fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test, depending on physician instructions. Most oral medications also are withheld before the test. After the procedure the nurse must monitor for constipation, which can occur as a result of the presence of barium in the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Which of the following diagnostic tests may be performed to determine if a client has gastric cancer?

• A. Barium enema
• B. Colonoscopy
• C. Gastroscopy
• D. Serum chemistry levels

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A gastroscopy is performed to visualize the stomach lining and obtain biopsies to diagnose gastric cancer.

3. The client with peptic ulcer disease is scheduled for a pyloroplasty. The client asks the nurse about the procedure. The nurse plans to respond knowing that a pyloroplasty involves:

• A. Cutting the vagus nerve
• B. Removing the distal portion of the stomach
• C. Removal of the ulcer and a large portion of the cells that produce hydrochloric acid
• D. An incision and resuturing of the pylorus to relax the muscle and enlarge the opening from the stomach to the duodenum.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A pyloroplasty involves making an incision in the pylorus (the opening from the stomach to the duodenum) and then resuturing it to relax the muscle and enlarge the opening.

4. Which of the following complications of gastric resection should the nurse teach the client to watch for?

• A. Constipation
• B. Dumping syndrome
• C. Gastric spasm
• D. Intestinal spasms

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Clients should be taught to watch for symptoms of dumping syndrome, a common complication after gastric resection.

5. If a client had irritable bowel syndrome, which of the following diagnostic tests would determine if the diagnosis is Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

• A. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan
• B. Abdominal x-ray
• C. Barium swallow
• D. Colonoscopy with biopsy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A colonoscopy with biopsy is the most definitive diagnostic test to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

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