ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions
1. Which of the following nursing interventions should have the highest priority during the first hour after the admission of a client with cholecystitis who is experiencing pain, nausea, and vomiting?
- A. Administering pain medication.
- B. Completing the admission history.
- C. Maintaining hydration.
- D. Teaching about planned diagnostic tests.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Administering pain medication would have the highest priority during the first hour after the client's admission. Pain relief is essential to address the client's immediate discomfort and distress. Completing the admission history, maintaining hydration, and teaching about planned diagnostic tests are important aspects of care but can be addressed after addressing the client's pain and stabilizing their condition.
2. You’re caring for Carin who has just had ileostomy surgery. During the first 24 hours post-op, how much drainage can you expect from the ileostomy?
- A. 100 ml
- B. 500 ml
- C. 1500 ml
- D. 5000 ml
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During the first 24 hours post-op, you can expect about 1500 ml of drainage from the ileostomy.
3. The nurse is irrigating a client's colostomy when she complains of abdominal cramping after receiving about 100 mL of the irrigating solution. What should the nurse's first response be in this situation?
- A. Stop the flow of solution temporarily.
- B. Reposition the client on to her right side.
- C. Remove the irrigation tube.
- D. Massage the abdomen gently.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The abdominal cramping that can occur during colostomy irrigation results from stimulation of the colon by the irrigating solution. The nurse's first response should be to temporarily stop the flow of solution to allow the cramping to subside. Repositioning the client to the right side will not alleviate the cramping. Removing the tube will not decrease the cramping and will necessitate reinsertion of the tube when the irrigation is resumed. Massaging the abdomen gently may be soothing to some clients, but it is not the nurse's first priority action.
4. Which of the following nursing interventions should be implemented to manage a client with appendicitis?
- A. Assessing for pain
- B. Encouraging oral intake of clear fluids
- C. Providing discharge teaching
- D. Assessing for symptoms of peritonitis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Assessing for symptoms of peritonitis. This intervention is crucial in managing a client with appendicitis because it indicates a possible rupture of the inflamed appendix. Symptoms of peritonitis include severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal rigidity. Prompt recognition of these symptoms is essential for timely intervention and surgical management. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while assessing for pain is important, assessing for symptoms of peritonitis takes precedence due to the critical nature of appendicitis. Encouraging oral intake of clear fluids and providing discharge teaching are not immediate priorities in the management of a client with acute appendicitis.
5. Your patient has a retractable gastric peptic ulcer and has had a gastric vagotomy. Which factor increases as a result of vagotomy?
- A. Peristalsis.
- B. Gastric acidity.
- C. Gastric motility.
- D. Gastric pH.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After a gastric vagotomy, the gastric pH increases as a result of reduced acid secretion.
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