ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is monitoring a client for the early signs and symptoms for dumping syndrome. Which symptom indicates this occurrence?
- A. Abdominal cramping and pain
- B. Bradycardia and indigestion
- C. Sweating and pallor
- D. Double vision and chest pain
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Early manifestations of dumping syndrome occur 5 to 30 minutes after eating. Symptoms include vertigo, tachycardia, syncope, sweating, pallor, palpitations, and the desire to lie down.
2. A nurse teaches a preoperative client about the nasogastric tube that will be inserted in preparation for surgery. The nurse determines that the client understands when the tube will be removed in the postoperative period when the client states
- A. When my gastrointestinal system is healed enough.
- B. When I can tolerate food without vomiting.
- C. When my bowels begin to function again, and I begin to pass gas.
- D. When the doctor says so.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Nasogastric tubes are discontinued when normal function returns to the gastrointestinal tract. The tube will be removed before gastrointestinal healing. Food would not be administered unless bowel function returns. Although the physician determines when the nasogastric tube will be removed, option 4 does not determine effectiveness of teaching.
3. Which of the following techniques would the nurse use first to determine if a nasogastric tube is positioned in the stomach?
- A. Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents.
- B. Irrigating with normal saline and observing for the return of solution.
- C. Placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles.
- D. Instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area for the presence of the tube.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The initial way to determine if a nasogastric tube is in the stomach is to apply suction to the tube with a syringe and observe for the return of stomach contents. Then the pH of the aspirate can be measured. This is the method of choice. One would not irrigate until tube placement is confirmed. Observing for air bubbles when the free end of the tube is placed under water is an unacceptable, unsafe method of determining tube placement. Another method is to instill air into the tube with a syringe while auscultating over the epigastric area. Hearing the air enter the stomach helps ensure proper placement, but the method is not foolproof and is no longer considered an effective or preferred way to determine placement.
4. Which of the following associated disorders may a client with ulcerative colitis exhibit?
- A. Gallstones
- B. Hydronephrosis
- C. Nephrolithiasis
- D. Toxic megacolon
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Toxic megacolon is a severe complication that may be exhibited by a client with ulcerative colitis.
5. A client is taking an antacid for treatment of a peptic ulcer. Which of the following statements best indicates that the client understands how to correctly take the antacid?
- A. I should take my antacid before I take my other medications.
- B. I need to decrease my intake of fluids so that I don’t dilute the effects of my antacid.
- C. My antacid will be most effective if I take it whenever I experience stomach pains.
- D. It is best for me to take my antacid 1 to 3 hours after meals.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: It is best for the client to take the antacid 1 to 3 hours after meals to ensure effectiveness.
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