ATI RN
ATI Gastrointestinal System Test Questions
Question 1 of 9
Dark, tarry stools indicate bleeding in which location of the GI tract?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dark, tarry stools indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract.
Question 2 of 9
The student nurse is teaching the family of a patient with liver failure. You instruct them to limit which foods in the patient's diet?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a patient with liver failure, it is important to limit the intake of meats and beans to reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy.
Question 3 of 9
When planning care for a client with ulcerative colitis who is experiencing symptoms, which client care activities can the nurse appropriately delegate to a unlicensed assistant?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Delegating tasks such as providing skin care, maintaining intake and output records, and obtaining the client's weight are within the scope of practice for an unlicensed assistant. Assessing bowel sounds and evaluating the response to medications require nursing judgment and should not be delegated.
Question 4 of 9
A client with ulcerative colitis has an order to begin salicylate medication to reduce inflammation. The nurse instructs the client to take the medication:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: After meals. Salicylate medications for ulcerative colitis should be taken after meals to minimize gastrointestinal irritation and enhance absorption. Taking the medication on an empty stomach (Choice B) may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it 30 minutes before meals (Choice A) may not provide enough protection for the stomach lining. Taking it on arising (Choice D) is not recommended as it may not coincide with the peak absorption times of the medication.
Question 5 of 9
Regina is a 46 y.o. woman with ulcerative colitis. You expect her stools to look like:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stools in ulcerative colitis are typically bloody and mucoid.
Question 6 of 9
A client who has ulcerative colitis has persistent diarrhea. He is thin and has lost 12 pounds since the exacerbation of his ulcerative colitis. The nurse should anticipate that the physician will order which of the following treatment approaches to help the client meet his nutritional needs?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Implementing total parenteral nutrition helps meet the nutritional needs of a client with persistent diarrhea and significant weight loss due to ulcerative colitis.
Question 7 of 9
Elmer is scheduled for a proctoscopy and has an I.V. The doctor wrote an order for 5mg of I.V. diazepam(Valium). Which order is correct regarding diazepam?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct method for administering I.V. diazepam is to give it in the I.V. port closest to the vein.
Question 8 of 9
You're assessing the stoma of a patient with a healthy, well-healed colostomy. You expect the stoma to appear:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A healthy, well-healed colostomy stoma should appear red and moist.
Question 9 of 9
Jerod is experiencing an acute episode of ulcerative colitis. What is the priority for this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to replace lost fluid and sodium. During an acute episode of ulcerative colitis, the priority is to manage the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. This is crucial due to the potential for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances resulting from diarrhea and inflammation in the colon. Monitoring serum glucose levels (Choice B) may be important for patients on steroid therapy, but in this scenario, fluid and electrolyte balance take precedence. Restricting dietary intake of foods high in potassium (Choice C) is not a priority in the acute phase of ulcerative colitis. While noting changes in stool color and consistency (Choice D) is important for assessing the patient's gastrointestinal status, it is not the priority when managing acute ulcerative colitis.