ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. To prevent gastroesophageal reflux in a client with hiatal hernia, the nurse should provide which discharge instructions?
- A. Lie down after meals to promote digestion.
- B. Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages.
- C. Take antacids before meals.
- D. Limit fluids with meals.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: To prevent reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, the nurse should advise the client to avoid foods and beverages that tend to increase stomach acid, such as coffee and alcohol. The nurse also should teach the client to avoid lying down after meals, which can aggravate reflux, and to take antacids after eating. The client doesn't need to limit fluids with meals as long as the fluids aren't gastric irritants.
2. Ralph has a history of alcohol abuse and has acute pancreatitis. Which lab value is most likely to be elevated?
- A. Calcium
- B. Glucose
- C. Magnesium
- D. Potassium
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a patient with acute pancreatitis and a history of alcohol abuse, glucose levels are most likely to be elevated.
3. The client with peptic ulcer disease is scheduled for a pyloroplasty. The client asks the nurse about the procedure. The nurse plans to respond knowing that a pyloroplasty involves:
- A. Cutting the vagus nerve
- B. Removing the distal portion of the stomach
- C. Removal of the ulcer and a large portion of the cells that produce hydrochloric acid
- D. An incision and resuturing of the pylorus to relax the muscle and enlarge the opening from the stomach to the duodenum.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A pyloroplasty involves making an incision in the pylorus (the opening from the stomach to the duodenum) and then resuturing it to relax the muscle and enlarge the opening.
4. 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.
5. Which nursing measure would be most effective in helping the client cough and deep breathe after a cholecystectomy?
- A. Having the client take rapid, shallow breaths to decrease pain.
- B. Having the client lay on the left side while coughing and deep breathing.
- C. Teaching the client to use a folded blanket or pillow to splint the incision.
- D. Withholding pain medication so the client can be alert enough to follow the nurse's instructions.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: After a cholecystectomy, teaching the client to use a folded blanket or pillow to splint the incision will be most effective in helping the client cough and deep breathe. This technique provides support and reduces pain during coughing and deep breathing, promoting better lung expansion. Having the client take rapid, shallow breaths would not be effective in decreasing pain; instead, deep breathing is encouraged to prevent complications like atelectasis. Lying on the left side would limit lung expansion; therefore, the client should be positioned in semi-Fowler's or Fowler's position to maximize lung expansion. Withholding pain medication can lead to discomfort and reluctance to cough and deep breathe, hindering recovery.
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