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
Which test will best determine whether a client has an abnormality of the muscles surrounding the anal sphincter?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In defecography, a thick barium paste is inserted into the rectum. Radiographs are taken as the client expels the barium to determine whether there are any anatomic abnormalities or problems with the muscles surrounding the anal sphincter. A KUB will not determine this. Colonic transit studies are used to determine how long it takes for food to travel through the intestines. Abdominal radiography will show the structure but does not determine the muscle ability surrounding the anal sphincter.
Question 2 of 5
A client reports taking a stimulant laxative in order to be able to have a bowel movement daily. What should the nurse inform the client about taking a stimulant laxative?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should discourage self-treatment with daily or frequent enemas or laxatives. Chronic use of such products causes natural bowel function to be sluggish. In addition, laxatives containing stimulants can be habit forming, requiring continued use in increasing doses. Although the nurse should encourage the client to have adequate fluid intake, laxative use should not be encouraged. The laxative may interact with other medications the client is taking and may cause a decrease in absorption. A fiber supplement may be taken alone but should not be taken with a stimulant laxative.
Question 3 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 4 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 5 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.