ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is giving dietary instructions to a client who has a new colostomy. The nurse encourages the client to eat foods representing which of the following diets for the first 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Low-residue. After colostomy surgery, the bowel needs time to heal. A low-residue diet helps reduce the amount of undigested food passing through the colon, easing digestion and minimizing strain on the stoma. This diet typically includes easily digestible foods like white bread, rice, pasta, and well-cooked vegetables. High-protein (choice A) and high-carbohydrate (choice B) diets can be harder to digest and may cause discomfort. A low-calorie diet (choice C) is not necessary during the initial postoperative period when the focus should be on promoting healing and comfort.
Question 2 of 5
The client with a colostomy has an order for irrigation of the colostomy. The nurse uses which solution for the irrigation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tap water. Tap water is used for colostomy irrigation as it is isotonic and won't disrupt electrolyte balance. Distilled water (A) can cause electrolyte imbalances. Sterile water (C) may not be necessary, and Lactated Ringer's (D) is not typically used for colostomy irrigation.
Question 3 of 5
A client is suspected of having hepatitis. Which diagnostic test results will assist in confirming this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Elevated serum bilirubin. Hepatitis is characterized by liver inflammation, which can lead to impaired bilirubin metabolism and increased levels in the blood. Elevated serum bilirubin is a common finding in hepatitis. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Choice A) is not specific to hepatitis. Elevated hemoglobin (Choice C) and elevated blood urea nitrogen (Choice D) are not typically associated with hepatitis and are more indicative of other conditions. In summary, elevated serum bilirubin is a key diagnostic marker for confirming a diagnosis of hepatitis.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is providing the client with biliary obstruction a simple overview of the anatomy of the liver and gallbladder. The nurse tells the client that normally the liver stores bile in the gallbladder, which is connected to the liver by the?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cystic duct. The cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the common bile duct, through which bile flows from the liver to the gallbladder for storage. The liver canaliculi are tiny channels within the liver where bile is produced. The common bile duct is the main duct through which bile flows from the liver to the small intestine. The right hepatic duct is one of the ducts that collect bile from the liver but does not directly connect to the gallbladder. Therefore, the cystic duct is the correct choice as it specifically links the gallbladder to the common bile duct for bile transportation.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the results of serum laboratory studies drawn on a client who is suspected of having hepatitis. The nurse interprets that an elevation in which of the following studies is the most specific indicator of the disease?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hemoglobin. In hepatitis, there is destruction of red blood cells, leading to decreased hemoglobin levels. This is a specific indicator of the disease. The other choices are incorrect because A (ESR) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, B (serum bilirubin) is elevated in liver dysfunction but not specific to hepatitis, and D (BUN) is a measure of kidney function, not related to hepatitis. Hemoglobin, being directly affected by the disease process in hepatitis, is the most specific indicator among the options provided.