ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. Which of the following activities should the nurse encourage the client with a peptic ulcer to avoid?
- A. Chewing gum.
- B. Smoking cigarettes.
- C. Eating chocolate.
- D. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cigarette smoking should be avoided because of its stimulatory effect on gastric secretions. Nicotine also increases the release of epinephrine, which leads to vasoconstriction. The client may chew gum if desired. The client may eat chocolate if desired. A client with a peptic ulcer should check with the physician before taking any over-the-counter drug, but acetaminophen does not typically cause gastric irritation.
2. A nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis. The client is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The client begins to complain of increased abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment the nurse notes that the abdomen is distended and the bowel sounds are diminished. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Administer dilaudid
- B. Notify the physician
- C. Call and ask the operating room team to perform the surgery as soon as possible
- D. Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on a warm setting to the client’s abdomen.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms suggest possible perforation or peritonitis, which are serious complications requiring immediate medical attention. The nurse should promptly notify the physician.
3. The student nurse is preparing a teaching care plan to help improve nutrition in a patient with achalasia. You include which of the following:
- A. Swallow foods while leaning forward.
- B. Omit fluids at mealtimes.
- C. Eat meals sitting upright.
- D. Avoid soft and semisoft foods.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Eating meals while sitting upright helps improve swallowing and prevent complications in patients with achalasia.
4. Elmer is scheduled for a proctoscopy and has an I.V. The doctor wrote an order for 5mg of I.V. diazepam(Valium). Which order is correct regarding diazepam?
- A. Give diazepam in the I.V. port closest to the vein.
- B. Mix diazepam with 50 ml of dextrose 5% in water and give over 15 minutes.
- C. Give diazepam rapidly I.V. to prevent the bloodstream from diluting the drug mixture.
- D. Question the order because I.V. administration of diazepam is contraindicated.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct method for administering I.V. diazepam is to give it in the I.V. port closest to the vein.
5. The nurse is caring for a client who underwent a subtotal gastrectomy. To manage dumping syndrome, the nurse should advise the client to:
- A. restrict fluid intake to 1 qt (1,000 ml)/day.
- B. drink liquids only with meals.
- C. don't drink liquids 2 hours before meals.
- D. drink liquids only between meals.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A client who experiences dumping syndrome after a subtotal gastrectomy should be advised to ingest liquids between meals rather than with meals. Taking fluids between meals allows for adequate hydration, reduces the amount of bulk ingested with meals, and aids in preventing rapid gastric emptying. There is no need to restrict the amount of fluids, just the time when the client drinks fluids. Drinking liquids with meals increases the risk of dumping syndrome by increasing the amount of bulk and stimulating rapid gastric emptying. Small amounts of water are allowable before meals.
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