ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse has been caring for a client with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The physician arrives on the nursing unit and deflates the esophageal balloon. The nurse should monitor the client most closely for which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Vomiting blood. When the esophageal balloon of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is deflated, the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding increases. Vomiting blood indicates active bleeding and requires immediate intervention. Swelling of the abdomen (A) is not directly related to deflating the balloon. Bloody diarrhea (B) is not a common complication of deflating the balloon. An elevated temperature and a rise in blood pressure (D) are not typical signs of complications related to the deflation of the esophageal balloon.
Question 2 of 5
The client with chronic pancreatitis needs information on dietary modification to manage the health problem. The nurse teaches the client to limit which of the following items in the diet?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Fat. In chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas struggles to produce digestive enzymes, leading to poor fat digestion. Limiting fat intake can help reduce symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Carbohydrates and proteins are essential for energy and tissue repair, so limiting them is not ideal. Water-soluble vitamins are generally well-absorbed and do not require restriction in chronic pancreatitis.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for the client who had an umbilical hernia repair. Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Avoiding coughing. After umbilical hernia repair, coughing can increase intra-abdominal pressure and strain the surgical site, leading to potential complications like hernia recurrence or wound dehiscence. It is crucial to advise the client to avoid coughing to promote proper healing. A: Restricting pain medication is not necessary as pain management is essential for the client's comfort and recovery. B: Maintaining bedrest is not typically required after umbilical hernia repair, as early ambulation is often encouraged to prevent complications like blood clots. D: Irrigating the drain is not typically part of the discharge teaching plan for umbilical hernia repair, as drains are usually removed before discharge.
Question 4 of 5
A client has a nasogastric tube inserted at the time of abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. This tube will most likely be removed when the client demonstrates:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Passage of flatus and feces from the colostomy. This indicates that the gastrointestinal tract is functioning properly post-operatively. The nasogastric tube is typically removed once the client's bowel function has returned, as evidenced by the passage of flatus and feces from the colostomy. This indicates that the client's bowels are working and there is no longer a need for the tube to decompress the stomach. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the absence of nausea and vomiting, passage of mucus from the rectum, and absence of stomach drainage do not directly indicate the return of normal bowel function, which is the key factor for removing the nasogastric tube in this scenario.
Question 5 of 5
During an abdominal assessment, a nurse finds pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis on a client. What finding should be reported to the physician?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because pulsation between the umbilicus and pubis could indicate an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. The pulsation in this area could be the enlargement of the aorta, which can be life-threatening if it ruptures. Reporting this finding to the physician is crucial for further evaluation and intervention. Choice A (Concave, midline umbilicus) is incorrect because it is a normal finding during an abdominal assessment. Choice C (Bowel sound frequency of 15 sounds per minute) is incorrect as it falls within the normal range of bowel sounds. Choice D (Absence of a bruit) is also incorrect as the absence of a bruit is a normal finding and does not indicate any immediate concern.