ATI RN
NCLEX Questions on Gastrointestinal Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
Most of the protein digesting enzymes are produced by the
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: stomach and pancreas. Firstly, protein digestion starts in the stomach where pepsinogen is converted to pepsin, breaking down proteins. Secondly, the pancreas secretes enzymes like trypsin and chymotrypsin into the small intestine to further break down proteins. The other choices are incorrect because the salivary glands primarily produce enzymes for carbohydrate digestion, while the small intestine is more involved in absorbing nutrients rather than producing protein-digesting enzymes.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following substances secreted by the gastric mucosa of the stomach facilitate protein digestion?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: gastric acid and pepsin. Gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) creates an acidic environment for pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Bicarbonate and histamine do not directly facilitate protein digestion. Mucus protects the stomach lining. Gastric lipase aids in fat digestion, not protein digestion.
Question 3 of 5
During exercise, an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity leads to vasoconstriction in most vascular beds. This does not happen in the contracting (active) skeletal muscle, due to the effect of locally produced metabolites. What would be the consequence to the cardiovascular system if vasoconstriction did occur in the active muscle?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: there would be an increase in total peripheral resistance. When sympathetic activity causes vasoconstriction in most vascular beds but not in the active skeletal muscle, it allows for increased blood flow to the muscles during exercise. If vasoconstriction did occur in the active muscle, it would impede blood flow to the muscles, leading to an increase in resistance in the peripheral circulation. This would result in an increase in total peripheral resistance, making it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently to meet the demands of the active muscles. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the physiological consequences of vasoconstriction in the active muscle during exercise.
Question 4 of 5
As nurse manager, you must select an employee to participate in a hospital committee that will develop client education brochures about common abdominal surgeries and wound care. Who would be the best employee to send to this committee?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best employee to send to the hospital committee for developing client education brochures about common abdominal surgeries and wound care would be the experienced medical-surgical RN (Option B). This choice is the most suitable because of several reasons: 1. **Clinical Experience**: An experienced medical-surgical RN would have a solid foundation in caring for patients undergoing abdominal surgeries and managing wound care. They would possess the necessary clinical knowledge and skills required to provide accurate and relevant information in the brochures. 2. **Patient Education Skills**: With their experience, the experienced medical-surgical RN would have developed effective patient education skills, including the ability to communicate complex medical information in a clear and understandable manner. This is crucial for developing educational materials that are accessible to patients with varying levels of health literacy. 3. **Interdisciplinary Collaboration**: Being part of the medical-surgical unit, the experienced RN would have experience working with various healthcare professionals involved in patient care, including surgeons, wound care specialists, and other multidisciplinary team members. This exposure would enable them to gather insights and collaborate effectively with different experts on the committee. Why the other options are not the best choices: - **Option A (Newly graduated medical-surgical RN)**: While new graduates bring fresh perspectives, they may lack the depth of clinical experience and expertise required to educate patients comprehensively about complex surgical procedures and wound care. - **Option C (Experienced surgical intensive care unit RN)**: While an ICU nurse may have extensive experience in critical care, their focus may not align directly with the content needed for client education brochures on common abdominal surgeries and wound care outside of the ICU setting. - **Option D (Experienced medical-surgical LPN/LVN)**: While LPNs/LVNs play a vital role in patient care, their scope of practice and level of clinical responsibility may not be as extensive as that of an experienced medical-surgical RN, especially in terms of educating patients on surgical procedures and wound care. Educational Context: This question emphasizes the importance of selecting a healthcare professional with relevant experience and expertise to develop educational materials for patients. It highlights the role of nurses in patient education and the need for clear and accurate information to support patients undergoing abdominal surgeries and wound care. By sending the most qualified individual to the committee, the hospital can ensure that the client education brochures are of high quality and meet the educational needs of their patients effectively.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following symptoms indicate that diarrhea is severe?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this NCLEX question on gastrointestinal disorders, the correct answer is B) Blood and mucus are passed with the stool. This symptom indicates severe diarrhea because it suggests the presence of inflammation or infection in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and potential sepsis. Option A) Bowel sounds are hyperactive is incorrect because hyperactive bowel sounds are more commonly associated with conditions like gastroenteritis or early obstruction rather than indicating the severity of diarrhea specifically. Option C) The client experiences tenesmus is incorrect because tenesmus refers to a constant feeling of the need to pass stool, which can be seen in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, but it does not necessarily indicate the severity of diarrhea. Option D) The client has a fever is incorrect because while fever can occur with severe diarrhea due to an underlying infection or inflammation, it is a nonspecific symptom and may not always be present in cases of severe diarrhea. Educationally, it is important for nursing students to understand the significance of various symptoms in gastrointestinal disorders to provide appropriate care and interventions. Recognizing severe symptoms like blood and mucus in the stool can prompt timely interventions to prevent complications and promote patient outcomes. Understanding the difference between general symptoms and those specific to severe diarrhea is crucial for accurate clinical assessment and decision-making in practice.