ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. The nurse is preparing to discontinue a client’s nasogastric tube. The client is positioned properly, and the tube has been flushed with 15 mL of air to clear secretions. Before removing the tube, the nurse makes which statement to the client?
- A. Take a deep breath when I tell you and breathe normally while I remove the tube.
- B. Take a deep breath when I tell you and bear down while I remove the tube.
- C. Take a deep breath when I tell you and slowly exhale while I remove the tube.
- D. Take a deep breath when I tell you and hold it while I remove the tube.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The client should take a deep breath because the client’s airway will be obstructed temporarily during tube removal. The nurse then tells the client to exhale slowly and withdraws the tube during exhalation. Bearing down could inhibit the removal of the tube. Breathing normally could result in aspiration of gastric secretions during inhalation. Holding the breath does not facilitate tube removal.
2. Your teaching Anthony how to use his new colostomy. How much skin should remain exposed between the stoma and the ring of the appliance?
- A. 1/16”
- B. 1/4″
- C. 1/2”
- D. 1”
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When teaching a patient how to use a colostomy, only 1/16” of skin should remain exposed between the stoma and the ring of the appliance to prevent skin irritation.
3. 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. administration of pain medication every 4 hours
- C. Evaluating the client's response to antidiarrheal medications
- D. Maintaining intake and output records
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Delegating tasks such as providing skin care, maintaining intake and output records, and obtaining the client's weight are within the scope of practice for an unlicensed assistant. Assessing bowel sounds and evaluating the response to medications require nursing judgment and should not be delegated.
4. After abdominal surgery, your patient has a severe coughing episode that causes wound evisceration. In addition to calling the doctor, which intervention is most appropriate?
- A. Irrigate the wound & organs with Betadine.
- B. Cover the wound with a saline soaked sterile dressing.
- C. Apply a dry sterile dressing & binder.
- D. Push the organs back & cover with moist sterile dressings.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Covering the wound with a saline soaked sterile dressing is the most appropriate intervention for wound evisceration.
5. The client has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The nurse assesses the client in the immediate post-op period for which of the following most frequent complications of this type of surgery?
- A. Intestinal obstruction
- B. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
- C. Malabsorption of fat
- D. Folate deficiency
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Fluid and electrolyte imbalance is a common complication following ileostomy surgery due to the loss of large volumes of fluid and electrolytes through the stoma. Monitoring and replacing fluids and electrolytes is essential.
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