ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse assesses the client's understanding of the relationship between body position and gastroesophageal reflux. Which response would indicate that the client understands measures to avoid problems with reflux while sleeping?
- A. I can elevate the foot of the bed 4 to 6 inches.
- B. I can sleep on my stomach with my head turned to the left.
- C. I can sleep on my back without a pillow under my head.
- D. I can elevate the head of the bed 4 to 6 inches.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated encourages movement of food through the esophagus by gravity. By fostering esophageal acid clearance, gravity helps keep the acidic pepsin and alkaline biliary secretions from contacting the esophagus. Elevating the foot of the bed does not affect clearance of esophageal acid. Sleeping on the stomach with the head turned to the left will not decrease reflux incidence. Sleeping flat without a pillow under the head does not enhance clearance.
2. 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.
3. Kevin has a history of peptic ulcer disease and vomits coffee-ground emesis. What does this indicate?
- A. He has fresh, active upper GI bleeding.
- B. He needs immediate saline gastric lavage.
- C. His gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
- D. He needs a transfusion of packed RBC’s.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Coffee-ground emesis indicates that the gastric bleeding occurred 2 hours earlier.
4. A client with which of the following conditions may be likely to develop rectal cancer?
- A. Adenomatous polyps
- B. Diverticulitis
- C. Hemorrhoids
- D. Peptic ulcer disease
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Adenomatous polyps are a known risk factor for the development of rectal cancer.
5. The client with Crohn’s disease has a nursing diagnosis of Acute Pain. The nurse would teach the client to avoid which of the following in managing this problem?
- A. Lying supine with the legs straight
- B. Massaging the abdomen
- C. Using antispasmodic medication
- D. Using relaxation techniques
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In managing acute pain associated with Crohn’s disease, the client should avoid lying supine with the legs straight. This position increases muscle tension in the abdomen, potentially aggravating inflamed intestinal tissues as the abdominal muscles are stretched. Massaging the abdomen, using antispasmodic medication, and employing relaxation techniques are beneficial in alleviating pain. Massaging can help relax abdominal muscles, antispasmodic medication can reduce spasms contributing to pain, and relaxation techniques aid in overall pain management. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are appropriate interventions for managing pain in clients with CroCrohn’s disease.
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