Nursing Elites

1. The nurse has inserted a nasogastric tube to the level of the oropharynx and has repositioned the client’s head in a flexed-forward position. The client has been asked to begin swallowing. The nurse starts slowly to advance the nasogastric tube with each swallow. The client begins to cough, gag, and choke. Which nursing action would least likely result in proper tube insertion and promote client relaxation?

• A. Continuing to advance the tube to the desired distance
• B. Pulling the tube back slightly
• C. Checking the back of the pharynx using a tongue blade and flashlight.
• D. Instructing the client to breathe slowly and take sips of water.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: As the nasogastric tube is passed through the oropharynx, the gag reflex is stimulated, which may cause coughing, gagging, or choking. Instead of passing through to the esophagus, the nasogastric tube may coil around itself in the oropharynx, or it may enter the larynx and obstruct the airway, pulling the tube back slightly will remove it from the larynx; advancing the tube might position it in the trachea. Swallowing closes the epiglottis over the trachea and helps move the tube into the esophagus. Slow breathing helps the client relax to reduce the gag response. The nurse should check the back of the client’s throat to note if the tube has coiled. The tube may be advanced after the client relaxes.

2. A client presents to the emergency room, reporting that he has been vomiting every 30 to 40 minutes for the past 8 hours. Frequent vomiting puts him at risk for which of the following?

• A. Metabolic acidosis with hyperkalemia
• B. Metabolic acidosis with hypokalemia
• C. Metabolic alkalosis with hyperkalemia
• D. Metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Frequent vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia due to the loss of stomach acid and electrolytes.

3. Sitty, a 66 y.o. patient underwent a colostomy for ruptured diverticulum. She did well during the surgery and returned to your med-surg floor in stable condition. You assess her colostomy 2 days after surgery. Which finding do you report to the doctor?

• A. Blanched stoma
• B. Edematous stoma
• C. Reddish-pink stoma
• D. Brownish-black stoma

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A blanched stoma 2 days after colostomy surgery should be reported to the doctor as it may indicate compromised blood flow.

4. A patient has a severe exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Long-term medications will probably include:

• A. Antacids.
• B. Antibiotics.
• C. Corticosteroids.
• D. Histamine2-receptor blockers.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Long-term medications for a severe exacerbation of ulcerative colitis probably include corticosteroids.

5. A client with gastric cancer may exhibit which of the following symptoms?

• A. Abdominal cramping
• B. Constant hunger
• C. Feeling of fullness
• D. Weight gain

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Clients with gastric cancer may experience a feeling of fullness due to the presence of the tumor.

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