After several days of antibiotic therapy for pneumonia, an older hospitalized patient develops watery diarrheWhich action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, placing the patient on contact precautions. This is important because the patient has developed watery diarrhea after antibiotic therapy, which could indicate a Clostridium difficile infection. Placing the patient on contact precautions helps prevent the spread of this highly contagious infection to other patients and healthcare workers. It is the first priority to ensure the safety of others in the healthcare setting. A: Notifying the health care provider can be done after placing the patient on contact precautions. B: Obtaining a stool specimen for analysis is important but should be done after initiating contact precautions. C: Teaching the patient about hand washing is important for infection control but is not the first priority when dealing with a potential infectious disease outbreak.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: cystic duct. The cystic duct directly receives the fluids from the gallbladder and connects it to the common bile duct. The cystic duct is responsible for carrying bile from the gallbladder to the digestive system. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the common bile duct carries a mixture of bile from the liver and gallbladder, the hepatic duct connects the liver to the common bile duct, and the common hepatic duct connects the liver to the gallbladder, respectively. Therefore, the cystic duct is the only duct directly receiving fluids from the gallbladder.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: bile. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase to break down carbohydrates and fats. It also produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Bile, however, is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, not by the pancreas. Therefore, the pancreas does not produce bile. This makes option D the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: amino acids and glucose. Na ions facilitate the absorption of these molecules in the small intestine through the process of co-transport with carrier proteins. Glucose and amino acids are primarily absorbed in the small intestine to be utilized by the body for energy and growth. Na ions help transport these molecules across the intestinal epithelium against their concentration gradients. A: Amino acids and fructose - While Na ions do play a role in the absorption of amino acids, fructose is primarily absorbed through facilitated diffusion and does not require Na ions for absorption. B: Fatty acids and glycerol - Fatty acids and glycerol are absorbed in the small intestine through a different mechanism called micelle formation and do not rely on Na ions for absorption. C: Fatty acids and glucose - While Na ions do play a role in the absorption of glucose, fatty acids are primarily absorbed through micelle formation and do not require Na ions for absorption.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paralytic ileus. After abdominal surgery, the bowel can temporarily stop functioning due to anesthesia, handling of the intestines, or inflammation. This leads to absent bowel sounds, distention, and no flatus passage. Ulcerative colitis (A) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, not related to postoperative findings. Cholecystitis (B) is inflammation of the gallbladder, typically presenting with right upper quadrant pain. Wound dehiscence (D) is the separation of surgical incision edges, not related to bowel function.