ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for the client who had an umbilical hernia repair. Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan?
- A. Restricting pain medication
- B. Maintaining bedrest
- C. Avoiding coughing
- D. Irrigating the drain
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Bedrest is not required following this surgical procedure. The client should take analgesics as needed and as prescribed to control pain. A drain is not used in this surgical procedure, although the client may be instructed in simple dressing changes. Coughing is avoided to prevent disruption of the tissue integrity, which can occur because of the location of this surgical procedure.
2. Five days after undergoing surgery, a client develops a small-bowel obstruction. A Miller-Abbott tube is inserted for bowel decompression. Which nursing diagnosis takes priority?
- A. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements
- B. Acute pain
- C. Deficient fluid volume
- D. Excess fluid volume
Correct answer: C
Rationale: For a client with a small-bowel obstruction and a Miller-Abbott tube, deficient fluid volume is the priority nursing diagnosis.
3. The nurse is doing an admission assessment on a client with a history of duodenal ulcer. To determine whether the problem is currently active, the nurse would assess the client for which of the following most frequent symptom(s) of duodenal ulcer?
- A. Pain that is relieved by food intake
- B. Pain that radiated down the right arm
- C. N/V
- D. Weight loss
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain that is relieved by food intake is the most frequent symptom of duodenal ulcers because the food neutralizes the stomach acid.
4. Which of the following expected outcomes would be appropriate for the client who has ulcerative colitis?
- A. The client maintains a daily record of intake and output.
- B. The client verbalizes the importance of small, frequent feedings.
- C. The client uses a heating pad to decrease abdominal cramping.
- D. The client accepts that a colostomy is inevitable at some time in his life.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Small, frequent feedings are better tolerated by clients with ulcerative colitis as they lessen the amount of fecal material present in the gastrointestinal tract and decrease stimulation. The client does not need to maintain a daily record of intake and output unless an exacerbation of the disease occurs. A heating pad should not be applied to the intestine as it is inflamed. It is not inevitable that the client will require surgery to treat ulcerative colitis.
5. The nurse would assess the client experiencing an acute episode of cholecystitis for pain that is located in the right:
- A. Upper quadrant and radiates to the left scapula and shoulder
- B. Upper quadrant and radiates to the right scapula and shoulder
- C. Lower quadrant and radiates to the umbilicus
- D. Lower quadrant and radiates to the back
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Pain from cholecystitis is typically located in the right upper quadrant and may radiate to the right scapula and shoulder.
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