ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The home care nurse is visiting a client with a diagnosis of pernicious anemia that developed as a result of gastric surgery. The nurse instructs the client that because the stomach lining produces a decreased amount of intrinsic factor in this disorder, the client will need
- A. Vitamin B12 injections
- B. Vitamin B6 injections
- C. An antibiotic
- D. An antacid
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12 occurs in pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 is needed for the maturation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 is not necessarily needed for pernicious anemia and can be taken orally. An antibiotic and antacids may be prescribed for certain types of gastric ulcers.
2. When planning care for a client with ulcerative colitis who is experiencing symptoms, which client care activities can the nurse appropriately delegate to a unlicensed assistant?
- A. Assessing the client's bowel sounds
- B. Providing skin care following bowel movements
- C. Evaluating the client's response to antidiarrheal medications
- D. administration of pain medication every 4 hours
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Providing skin care following bowel movements, maintaining intake and output records, and obtaining the client's weight can be delegated to a unlicensed assistant.
3. The nurse has given instructions to the client with an ileostomy about foods to eat to thicken the stool. The nurse determines that the client needs further instructions if the client stated to eat which of the following foods to make the stools less watery?
- A. Pasta
- B. Boiled rice
- C. Bran
- D. Low-fat cheese
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Bran is high in fiber and should not be consumed to thicken the stool as it will make the stools more watery.
4. Eleanor, a 62 y.o. woman with diverticulosis is your patient. Which interventions would you expect to include in her care?
- A. Low-fiber diet and fluid restrictions.
- B. Total parenteral nutrition and bed rest.
- C. High-fiber diet and administration of psyllium.
- D. Administration of analgesics and antacids.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Care for a patient with diverticulosis includes a high-fiber diet and administration of psyllium.
5. An intubated patient is receiving continuous enteral feedings through a Salem sump tube at a rate of 60ml/hr. Gastric residuals have been 30-40ml when monitored Q4H. You check the gastric residual and aspirate 220ml. What is your first response to this finding?
- A. Notify the doctor immediately.
- B. Stop the feeding, and clamp the NG tube.
- C. Discard the 220ml, and clamp the NG tube.
- D. Give a prescribed GI stimulant such as metoclopramide (Reglan).
Correct answer: B
Rationale: If gastric residuals are high during continuous enteral feedings, the first response is to stop the feeding and clamp the NG tube.
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