The nurse caring for an 80-year-old woman who is undergoing extensive bowel preparation for a colonoscopy. The nurse should most closely monitor the patient for which potential complication?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Metabolic acidosis. During bowel preparation for a colonoscopy, the patient may experience fluid and electrolyte imbalances, leading to metabolic acidosis. The nurse should closely monitor for signs such as confusion, weakness, and increased respiratory rate. Diarrhea (choice A) is expected during bowel preparation but does not directly lead to metabolic acidosis. Fatigue (choice C) and dyspnea (choice D) are less likely complications of bowel preparation and do not directly relate to metabolic acidosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hyperglycemia. Long-term corticosteroid therapy can lead to insulin resistance and increased blood glucose levels. This occurs due to the corticosteroids interfering with insulin action and glucose metabolism. Hyperglycemia is a common side effect that can potentially lead to diabetes. Bradycardia (B), diarrhea (C), and decreased appetite (D) are not commonly associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy. Bradycardia is more commonly associated with medications such as beta-blockers, while diarrhea and decreased appetite are not typical side effects of corticosteroids.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: emulsifying fats. Bile salts help emulsify fats by breaking them into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for enzymes to act upon during digestion. This aids in the absorption of fats in the small intestine. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because bile salts do not have a direct role in breaking down carbohydrates (choice B), activating pepsin (choice C), or digesting proteins (choice D). These functions are carried out by other digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: absorbing nutrients. Villi are finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption of nutrients. They contain blood vessels and lacteals that absorb nutrients like glucose and amino acids. Villi do not secrete digestive enzymes (choice A), produce bile (choice C), or produce mucus (choice D). Digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas and bile is produced by the liver. Mucus is produced by goblet cells in the intestine.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: mucous neck cells. These cells secrete mucus to protect the stomach lining from the acidic environment and aid in lubrication. Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid, chief cells secrete pepsinogen, and enteroendocrine cells secrete hormones like gastrin. Mucous neck cells are specifically responsible for mucus secretion in the stomach, making them the correct choice.