ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 46 : Caring for Clients With Disorders of the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client informs the nurse of having abdominal pain that is relieved when having a bowel movement. The health care provider diagnosed the client with irritable bowel syndrome. What does the nurse recognize as characteristic of this disorder?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Most clients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describe having chronic constipation with sporadic bouts of diarrhea. Some report the opposite pattern, although less commonly. Most clients experience various degrees of abdominal pain that defecation may relieve. Weight usually remains stable, indicating that when diarrhea occurs, malabsorption of nutrients does not accompany it. Stools may have mucus, but blood is not usually found because the bowel is not locally inflamed. The sleep is not disturbed from abdominal pain.
Question 2 of 5
A client is recently diagnosed with Crohn disease and is beginning treatment. What first-line treatment does the nurse expect that the client will be placed on to decrease the inflammatory response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Considered first-line treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, 5-ASA drugs contain salicylate, which is bonded to a carrying agent that allows the drug to be absorbed in the intestine. These drugs work by decreasing the inflammatory response. Methotrexate or azathioprine are used when failure to maintain remission necessitates the use of an immune-modulating agent. Ciprofloxacin is used as an effective adjunct to treat the disease.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse observes the physician palpating the abdomen of a client that is suspected of having acute appendicitis. When the abdomen is pressed in the left lower quadrant the client complains of pain on the right side. What does the nurse understand this assessment technique is referred to?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When an examiner deeply palpates the left lower abdominal quadrant and the client feels pain in the right lower quadrant, this is referred to as a positive Rovsing sign and suggests acute appendicitis. Referred pain indicates pain in another area but is not necessarily manipulated by the examiner. Rebound pain is indicated when the pain of palpation is worse when the pressure is off the site. The cremasteric reflex is a superficial reflex that is present in male clients.
Question 4 of 5
A client with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis is awaiting surgical intervention. The nurse listens to bowel sounds and hears none and observes that the abdomen is rigid and board-like. What complication does the nurse determine may be occurring at this time?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lack of bowel motility typically accompanies peritonitis. The abdomen feels rigid and board-like as it distends with gas and intestinal contents. Bowel sounds typically are absent. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis correlates with the symptoms of rupture of the appendix and peritonitis. A paralytic ileus, constipation, and gas alone do not produce these symptoms.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is talking with a group of clients who are older than age 50 years about the recognition of colon cancer to access early intervention. What should the nurse inform the clients to report immediately to their primary care providers?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The chief characteristic of cancer of the colon is a change in bowel habits, such as alternating constipation and diarrhea. Excess gas, daily bowel movements, and abdominal cramping when having a bowel movement are not indicators of colon cancer.