ATI RN
Gastrointestinal Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is hospitalized with metastatic cancer of the liver. The nurse plans care for the patient based on what knowledge?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because patients with metastatic cancer of the liver typically have advanced disease and poor prognosis. Supportive care focuses on managing symptoms, providing comfort, and improving quality of life. Chemotherapy (choice A) may be used, but it is often palliative rather than curative. Surgery (choice B) is usually not an option for metastatic liver cancer. Choice D is incorrect as metastatic cancer is more difficult to treat compared to primary liver cancer. Therefore, choice C is the most appropriate plan of care for this patient.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient's bowel sounds. After auscultating each quadrant for 30 seconds, the nurse fails to hear any sounds. How should the nurse document this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoactive bowel sounds. This is because the nurse did not hear any bowel sounds after auscultating each quadrant for an adequate amount of time. Hypoactive bowel sounds indicate decreased or slowed bowel motility, which could be due to various factors such as postoperative ileus or constipation. The other choices are incorrect because Absent bowel sounds (choice A) would mean no sounds at all, Active bowel sounds (choice C) would indicate normal bowel motility, and Hyperactive bowel sounds (choice D) would indicate increased bowel motility, all of which are not reflective of the nurse's assessment findings.
Question 3 of 5
Which of these cells secrete hormones?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: enteroendocrine cells. These cells are specialized in secreting hormones in the gastrointestinal tract, regulating various physiological processes. Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid, mucous neck cells produce mucus for protection, and chief cells secrete pepsinogen for protein digestion. Therefore, enteroendocrine cells are the only cells among the options responsible for hormone secretion in this context.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following symptoms should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Blood in the stool. This symptom may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious side effect of chemotherapy that requires prompt medical attention. Reporting it immediately can help prevent further complications. A: Diarrhea is a common side effect of chemotherapy but is not typically considered an emergency. B: Nausea is another common side effect that can usually be managed with medication and does not require immediate reporting. D: Fatigue is a common symptom of chemotherapy and is typically managed with rest and supportive care, not requiring immediate reporting. In summary, blood in the stool is the most concerning symptom that requires immediate attention compared to the other choices, which are common side effects of chemotherapy.
Question 5 of 5
Which part of the digestive system is responsible for absorbing the majority of water?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: large intestine. The large intestine is responsible for absorbing the majority of water in the digestive system. This occurs in the colon, where water is reabsorbed from the indigestible food residue, turning it into solid waste. The stomach (A) primarily breaks down food, the small intestine (B) absorbs nutrients, and the rectum (D) stores feces before elimination. Therefore, the large intestine is the correct choice for water absorption in the digestive process.