ATI RN
Gastrointestinal System Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is planning to teach the client with gastroesophageal reflux disease about substances that will increase the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Which of the following items would the nurse include on this list?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nonfat milk. Nonfat milk is alkaline and can help increase lower esophageal sphincter pressure, reducing reflux symptoms. Fatty foods (A) can relax the sphincter and worsen symptoms. Chocolate (C) and coffee (D) are known triggers for reflux and can also decrease sphincter pressure. Therefore, the nurse would include nonfat milk in the teaching to help manage symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse has been caring for a client with a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The physician arrives on the nursing unit and deflates the esophageal balloon. The nurse should monitor the client most closely for which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Vomiting blood. When the esophageal balloon of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is deflated, the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding increases. Vomiting blood indicates active bleeding and requires immediate intervention. Swelling of the abdomen (A) is not directly related to deflating the balloon. Bloody diarrhea (B) is not a common complication of deflating the balloon. An elevated temperature and a rise in blood pressure (D) are not typical signs of complications related to the deflation of the esophageal balloon.
Question 3 of 5
A client is scheduled for an abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. Which of the following measures would most likely be included in the plan for the client's preoperative preparation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer kanamycin (Kantrex) the night before surgery. This antibiotic is typically given preoperatively to reduce the risk of infection during the surgical procedure. It helps to eliminate or reduce the number of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which could potentially contaminate the surgical site during the abdominal perineal resection with permanent colostomy. A: Keeping the client NPO for 2 days before surgery is not necessary for this procedure and could lead to unnecessary dehydration and discomfort. C: Informing the client that chest tubes will be in place after surgery is not directly related to preoperative preparation for this specific surgery. D: Advising the client to limit activity is important for postoperative recovery, but it is not a preoperative measure specific to this surgery.
Question 4 of 5
The client with chronic pancreatitis needs information on dietary modification to manage the health problem. The nurse teaches the client to limit which of the following items in the diet?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Fat. In chronic pancreatitis, the pancreas struggles to produce digestive enzymes, leading to poor fat digestion. Limiting fat intake can help reduce symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Carbohydrates and proteins are essential for energy and tissue repair, so limiting them is not ideal. Water-soluble vitamins are generally well-absorbed and do not require restriction in chronic pancreatitis.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for the client who had an umbilical hernia repair. Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Avoiding coughing. After umbilical hernia repair, coughing can increase intra-abdominal pressure and strain the surgical site, leading to potential complications like hernia recurrence or wound dehiscence. It is crucial to advise the client to avoid coughing to promote proper healing. A: Restricting pain medication is not necessary as pain management is essential for the client's comfort and recovery. B: Maintaining bedrest is not typically required after umbilical hernia repair, as early ambulation is often encouraged to prevent complications like blood clots. D: Irrigating the drain is not typically part of the discharge teaching plan for umbilical hernia repair, as drains are usually removed before discharge.