ATI RN
Questions on Gastrointestinal Tract Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is preparing to administer liquid laxative to a patient in preparation for a colonoscopy. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because chilling the laxative and pouring it over ice can help improve its taste and make it more palatable for the patient. This can encourage the patient to consume the laxative as needed for the colonoscopy preparation. Offering a small snack (choice A) may interfere with the effectiveness of the laxative. Taking the patient's temperature (choice B) is not relevant to administering a laxative. Mixing the laxative with orange juice (choice C) may alter its effectiveness and is not recommended.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient asks about the best way to prevent respiratory infections. What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: The nurse's response should focus on preventing respiratory infections in a patient with COPD. Step 2: Yearly flu shots are recommended to prevent influenza, a common trigger for respiratory infections in COPD. Step 3: Avoiding crowds during flu season reduces exposure to pathogens, further preventing infections. Step 4: Increasing nebulizer treatments does not directly prevent infections but may help manage COPD symptoms. Step 5: Vitamin C may have some benefits but is not a primary preventive measure for respiratory infections in COPD. Step 6: Regular antibiotic use is not recommended to prevent infections due to the risk of antibiotic resistance and potential side effects. Conclusion: Option A is the best response as it includes evidence-based strategies to prevent respiratory infections in a patient with COPD.
Question 3 of 5
Which of these is responsible for the formation of chyme?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is responsible for creating an acidic environment in the stomach essential for the activation of pepsin and the breakdown of proteins into peptides. This acidic environment also helps in the denaturation of proteins and kills harmful bacteria present in food. Bile (choice A) aids in digestion of fats in the small intestine. Mucus (choice B) helps protect the stomach lining from the acidic environment. Pepsin (choice D) is an enzyme that breaks down proteins but is activated by hydrochloric acid.
Question 4 of 5
What does the liver secrete to aid in digestion?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: bile. The liver secretes bile to aid in digestion by emulsifying fats, helping in their breakdown and absorption. Insulin (choice A) is secreted by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar levels, not aid in digestion. Gastrin (choice C) is a hormone produced by the stomach to stimulate the secretion of gastric acid, not by the liver. Pepsin (choice D) is an enzyme produced in the stomach to break down proteins, not secreted by the liver.
Question 5 of 5
What is the role of the colon in digestion?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The colon's main role in digestion is the absorption of water and electrolytes from undigested food, forming feces. This process helps maintain body fluid balance. The other choices are incorrect because: A) Carbohydrates are primarily digested in the small intestine. C) Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aiding in fat digestion in the small intestine. D) Enzymes are secreted in the stomach and small intestine to aid in digestion, not in the colon.