ATI RN
Gastrointestinal Diseases NCLEX Review Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The pancreas produces all of the following except which one?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: bile. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase to break down carbohydrates and fats. It also produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Bile, however, is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, not by the pancreas. Therefore, the pancreas does not produce bile. This makes option D the correct answer.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who is 3 days postoperative following abdominal surgery and notes the absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and the client passing no flatus. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paralytic ileus. After abdominal surgery, the bowel can temporarily stop functioning due to anesthesia, handling of the intestines, or inflammation. This leads to absent bowel sounds, distention, and no flatus passage. Ulcerative colitis (A) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, not related to postoperative findings. Cholecystitis (B) is inflammation of the gallbladder, typically presenting with right upper quadrant pain. Wound dehiscence (D) is the separation of surgical incision edges, not related to bowel function.
Question 3 of 5
Eleanor, a 62 y.o. woman with diverticulosis is your patient. Which interventions would you expect to include in her care?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: C is correct as high-fiber diet helps prevent diverticulitis episodes. Psyllium adds bulk to stool, reducing strain on the colon. A is incorrect as low-fiber diet worsens diverticulosis. B is inappropriate as TPN is not first-line and bed rest can worsen symptoms. D is incorrect as analgesics and antacids do not address the underlying cause.
Question 4 of 5
Contractions that mix material in the small intestine are called
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: segmental contractions. Segmental contractions mix material in the small intestine by contracting and relaxing specific segments of the intestine to mix and move the contents. This process helps with digestion and nutrient absorption. A: Peristalsis refers to the wave-like muscle contractions that propel food through the digestive system, not mixing. B: Deglutition is the process of swallowing food, not mixing it in the small intestine. C: Mass movements are large contractions that move material through the large intestine, not the small intestine where mixing occurs.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following structures would be considered retroperitoneal?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: pancreas. The pancreas is considered retroperitoneal because it lies behind the peritoneum, specifically in front of the vertebral column. This positioning makes it retroperitoneal, unlike the stomach, jejunum, and spleen, which are intraperitoneal organs located within the peritoneal cavity. The retroperitoneal location of the pancreas helps protect it and provides structural support. It also allows for easier access during surgical procedures, as it is not surrounded by peritoneum on all sides like intraperitoneal organs.