Deck 21: Assessing the Gastrointestinal System

Question 1

Which of these questions would be most important for a nurse to ask a patient who reports a change in bowel habits?

A)"Can you describe your activities in a normal day?"
B)"Do you have rectal pain?"
C)"Have your bowel changes created stress for you?"
D)"Can you describe the consistency of your bowel movements?"

Answer 1

"Can you describe the consistency of your bowel movements?"

Question 2

Which of the following statements would be important for a nurse to ask a patient to most effectively assess the patient's pattern of elimination?

A)"Are you having any bowel problems?"
B)"Have you had any recent difficulties with your stools?"
C)"Tell me about your usual bowel habits."
D)"Are your bowel movements normal?"

Answer 2

"Tell me about your usual bowel habits."

Question 3

Which of these questions would be the most important for a nurse to ask a patient who reports upper-right quadrant abdominal pain?

A)"Does the pain worsen when you inhale?"
B)"Do you have a history of diabetes?"
C)"When you eat do you experience any nausea?"
D)"Have your periods been normal?"

Answer 3

"Does the pain worsen when you inhale?"

Question 4

During the admission assessment, the nurse learns the patient is having her menstrual period. Which of these ordered tests could be impacted by this finding?

A)small bowel series
B)barium enema
C)stool culture
D)colonoscopy

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who has purposefully decreased caloric intake and increased activity levels and undergone an assessment of body mass index. The findings are 22 kg/m². Based on this finding the nurse should recognize which of the following?

A)The patient's weight is in a healthful range.
B)Further weight reduction is still needed to ensure health.
C)The patient is mildly obese.
D)The patient's body mass index is below normal.

Question 6

A nurse asks a nursing student to describe the four parts of abdominal assessment in proper order. Click and drag the options below to move them up or down.

A)percussion
B)inspection
C)palpation
D)auscultation

Question 7

The nurse is planning care for the patient who will have a barium enema the next morning. Which of the following should be included in the plan of care?

A)enemas after the procedure
B)full-liquid diet for 24 hours before the procedure
C)position the patient on the right side during the procedure
D)n.p.o.for eight hours prior to the procedure

Question 8

A 16-year-old patient in an outpatient setting with a body mass index of 35 tells a nurse "I am going to lose weight by eliminating all fat from my diet." Which of these actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take?

A)Contact the physician.
B)Notify the patient's parents.
C)Refer the patient to a dietitian.
D)Discuss the role of fat in metabolism.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a 60-year-old patient who is pale and reporting feelings of weakness. The patient's hemoglobin level is 9 g/dL. The patient states, "I eat a healthful diet. Why am I not well?" The nurse's best response is which of the following?

A)"You might not be eating as well as you think."
B)"This happens as you get older."
C)"As we age, the amount of iron absorbed by our body is decreased."
D)"Menopause is responsible for these changes."

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a two-month history of new onset diarrhea. The primary healthcare provider has ordered a diagnostic exam that uses radio-frequency waves and a magnetic field to evaluate disorders of the abdomen. The nurse recognizes this diagnostic test as which of the following?

A)a liver biopsy
B)a cholecystography
C)a gastric emptying study
D)a computed tomography

Question 11

A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a patient. When the patient turns from supine to the right side the nurse notes dullness on percussion. What is the best interpretation of this finding?

A)The patient is exhibiting normal findings.
B)The patient is exhibiting signs consistent with ascites.
C)The patient is exhibiting signs consistent with a bowel obstruction.
D)The patient is exhibiting signs consistent with hepatomegaly.

Question 12

The nurse is planning the diet for a patient scheduled to have a barium enema in two days. What should be included in the diet for the next 48 hours?

A)general diet
B)full diet today, clear liquids tomorrow
C)full liquids today, n.p.o.tomorrow
D)clear liquids both today and tomorrow

Question 13

Which of these priority measures should a nurse include in the discharge care plan for a patient who had a sigmoidoscopy with benign polyp removal?

A)Contact primary healthcare provider if large amounts of flatus result.
B)Avoid heavy lifting for two weeks after procedure.
C)Report abdominal pain, fever, or chills.
D)Eat foods high in fiber, beginning the evening of the procedure.

Question 14

A nurse is caring for a patient with multiple skin lesions who reports using a very-low-calorie diet in order to maintain weight loss. These patient findings would help substantiate a priority nursing diagnosis of which of the following?

A)Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
B)Activity Intolerance
C)Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
D)Self Neglect

Question 15

A nurse is caring for a patient with an order for a liver biopsy. Which of these measures should be included in the plan of care?

A)The patient will be n.p.o.at least 8 hours prior to the procedure.
B)The patient must eat a low-fat diet 1-3 days prior to the procedure.
C)Blood tests will be ordered prior to the procedure.
D)Activity will be limited for 4-6 weeks after the procedure.

Question 16

A nurse is developing a plan of care with a patient who states, "I would like to conceive a child and want to eat a healthful diet." Which of these outcomes should receive priority in the plan? The patient will consume which of the following?

A)potatoes, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes
B)dark green vegetables, lean beef, and eggs
C)liver, legumes, and citrus fruits
D)whole grains, yeast breads, and milk

Question 17

An 85-year-old patient says to the nurse, "I don't notice the sensation that I need to defecate as often as I noticed it in the past." A nurse's best response to this statement is which of the following?

A)"This is a normal part of aging due to slowed intestinal absorption."
B)"As you age, the rectum loses tone, and there is a reduced sensation to defecate."
C)"Have you had a colonoscopy in the past year to evaluate the condition?"
D)"Reduced vitamin K absorption is associated with this condition."

Question 18

The nurse is teaching a group of older adults about expected changes in dental health related to aging. Which of these statements, if made by one of the older adults, would indicate correct understanding of teaching?

A)"Dental health begins to decline with aging."
B)"The loss of bone density with aging will result in tooth decay and breakage."
C)"Increases in saliva production increase exposure of the tooth's enamel to corrosive agents."
D)"Metabolism changes in aging contribute to dental destruction."

Question 19

A nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I take large doses of vitamin A because it makes my skin healthy." What is the nurse's best response to this statement?

A)"This is a great idea."
B)"This will not benefit your skin.You excrete high doses of vitamin A in your urine."
C)"You should take vitamin C to balance the large dose of A."
D)"Too much vitamin A can become toxic to your body."

Question 20

A nurse is providing teaching for a patient scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which of these statements, if made by the patient, would indicate a need for further teaching?

A)"The procedure will only take about one hour."
B)"It might be quite painful."
C)"I will likely have medications that will make me drowsy during the test."
D)"The physician might take tissue samples for further analysis."

Question 21

The nurse is assessing a patient who uses chewing tobacco. Which of these data would be most important for a nurse to obtain when assessing this patient?

A)The patient denies shortness of breath.
B)The patient has no leukoplakia.
C)The patient has no glossitis.
D)The patient has no signs of candidiasis.

Question 22

A nurse is reviewing the skill of percussing a patient's abdomen with a nursing student. The nurse will intervene when the nursing student states, "I will

A)percuss the abdomen using a systematic path."
B)anticipate hearing tympany over stool-filled intestines."
C)anticipate a sound of dullness over the liver."
D)percuss over the spleen, kidneys, and liver."

Question 23

A nurse is developing a plan of care with a patient who has an order for an abdominal ultrasound. Which of these instructions will the nurse give the patient?

A)Advise the technician if you suspect you are pregnant.
B)Drink 1-2 quarts of water one hour before the procedure.
C)Do not eat anything 8-12 hours before the procedure.
D)Take a laxative the evening before the procedure.

Question 24

A nurse is assessing a patient who states, "I am so busy that I eat only processed foods from fast food restaurants." The patient has painful lesion at the both corners of the mouth. Which of these statements would be the most appropriate for the nurse to record in the patient's medical record?

A)The patient has glossitis.
B)The patient has gingivitis.
C)The patient has cheilosis.
D)The patient has leukoplakia.

Question 25

Which of these questions would be the most important for a nurse to ask a patient who is reporting symptoms of constipation? "Have you been taking

A)any narcotic medications?"
B)any over-the-counter pain relievers?"
C)any over-the-counter sleep aids?"
D)oral contraceptives?"

Question 26

A patient tells a nurse, "I am going to eat an all-fruit diet. Nothing is more healthful than fruit. Do you think this is a good idea?"Appropriate responses by the nurse include which of the following? Select all that apply.

A)"Fruit is natural and a good source of carbohydrates."
B)"Fruit is a good source of carbohydrates but a poor source of fats and protein."
C)"Fruit supplies many important vitamins, but is a relatively poor source of minerals."
D)"Incorporating fruit with complete sources of protein and healthful fats provides complete nutrition."
E)"A fruit-based diet will reduce your risk of developing diabetes mellitus."

Question 27

A nurse assesses a patient who has a scaphoid abdomen and a serum albumin level of 2.0 g/dL. These findings are most likely related to a diagnosis of which of the following?

A)type 2 diabetes mellitus
B)Crohn's disease
C)malnourishment
D)diverticulosis

Question 28

A nurse is planning an educational class for middle school students regarding nutrition. Which of these data points should be included in the presentation? Select all that apply. Select all that apply.

A)Sufficient dietary fats help people absorb vitamins.
B)Cholesterol is needed for proper hormonal function.
C)Fat tissue helps insulate the internal organs.
D)Vitamin K is made by action of ultraviolet radiation on the skin.
E)Vitamin D is synthesized by bacteria in the intestine.

Question 29

When performing an abdominal assessment on a patient with a suspected abdominal mass, which of these actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.

A)Shine a light source across the abdomen.
B)Inspect by standing beside the patient.
C)Inspect from the patient's right side.
D)Inspect for symmetry and visible peristalsis.
E)Ask the patient to deep breath and inspect.

Question 30

When a nurse is performing an initial assessment for a patient with a diagnosis of obesity, which of these pieces of equipment should the nurse have available? Select all that apply.

A)a scale
B)skinfold calipers
C)calculator
D)glucose meter
E)supplies for blood draw

Question 31

A nurse assesses that a patient has all of these manifestations. Which one is likely related to a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis?

A)lower-right quadrant pain
B)lower-left quadrant pain
C)upper-middle abdominal pain
D)back pain and tenderness

Question 32

Which of these outcomes would be most appropriate to establish for an alert and oriented patient who has a nursing diagnosis of Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements? The patient will:

A)verbalize understanding of causative factors and necessary interventions.
B)maintain core temperature within normal range.
C)demonstrate adequate fluid balance.
D)verbalize sense of relaxation and well-being.

Question 33

A home health nurse is giving instructions to a patient about nutritional requirements regarding vitamins. Which of these statements, if made by the patient, would indicate the patient needs further instruction?

A)"I will follow the National Academy of Sciences recommendations for daily intake of vitamins."
B)"I might need more or fewer vitamins than someone else based on my lifestyle."
C)"Evidence-based practice sometimes changes the amount of a specific vitamin that is recommended."
D)"Vitamins obtained through foods eaten are superior to those obtained through tablets and pills."

Question 34

A nurse is assessing each of the following patients. Which patient has a normal waist-to-hip ratio?

A)female patient; waist 29 inches; hips 35 inches
B)female patient; waist 29 inches; hips 36 inches
C)male patient; waist 37 inches; hips 36 inches
D)male patient; waist 40 inches; hips 41 inches

Question 35

A nurse is providing teaching for a patient who will have a small bowel series. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates the need for further education?

A)"It is normal to experience constipation for a few days after the procedure."
B)"I will need to increase my fluid intake the first few days after the procedure."
C)"I might have a laxative prescribed after the procedure."
D)"The barium will be inserted through my rectum."

Question 36

The nurse is teaching a group of 6-year-olds about the digestive system. The nurse knows teaching has been effective when the 6-year-olds make which of the following statements? Select all that apply. Select all that apply.

A)"Grown-ups have 28 teeth."
B)"Spit helps you taste your food."
C)"Food starts breaking down to be used for energy in the stomach."
D)"It's like a tube.Food I need goes in one end.What I don't need comes out the other."
E)"The food moves through the tube in waves, like a snake eating a mouse."

Question 37

Which of these patient observations is the most reliable indicator that a patient has the correct understanding of the functions of the stomach? "My stomach is useful for

A)beginning the process of absorption of nutrients."
B)turning food into liquid so it can be digested."
C)beginning the digestion of carbohydrates."
D)for secreting sulfuric acid."

Question 38

The nurse is planning care for a patient with end-stage renal disease who has a moderate daily protein restriction. Which of these menu choices would be most appropriate for this patient?

A)peanut butter sandwich and apple slices
B)bean soup and spinach salad
C)salmon fillet and asparagus
D)fried rice and fresh strawberries

Question 39

During the assessment of a patient's abdomen, frequent pulsations are noted in the epigastric region. What action by the nurse is indicated?

A)Document the findings as hyperactive bowel sounds.
B)Review the patient's medical records for signs and symptoms of cirrhosis may indicate ascites.
C)Note the time when the patient last voided.
D)Notify the physician related to the findings.

Question 40

A patient presents with abdominal pain in the epigastric region, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory results indicate serum WBC count of 10,000 cubic millimeters and serum amylase of 450 units/dL. These findings would help substantiate a priority nursing diagnoses of which of the following?

A)Risk for Infection
B)Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
C)Acute Pain
D)Risk for Dysfunctional Gastrointestinal Motility

Question 41

The nurse recognizes that which of these factors in a patient's history is most likely related to the development of familial adenomatous polyposis?

A)The patient eat a diet high in red meat.
B)The patient has never had the recommended screening colonoscopy.
C)The patient's grandfather died of colon cancer.
D)The patient had a basal cell skin cancer removed two year ago.

Question 42

The nurse is caring for a patient of Jewish heritage who is states, "I feel terrible. I am tired and I hurt all over." The nurse notes that the patient's skin appears pale and is yellow-tinged. A nurse should recognize these finding as most likely indicating which of the following?

A)Tangier disease
B)hypercholesterolemia
C)Gaucher disease
D)Lynch Syndrome

Question 43

The nurse is providing teaching for a patient newly diagnosed with celiac disease. The nurse knows follow up is needed when the patient identifies which of the following as a healthful food choice for a patient with celiac disease?

A)spinach salad and corn
B)beef steak and green beans
C)whole wheat toast and baked chicken
D)apple slices and tuna salad

Question 44

The nurse is conducting an educational session for patients who have a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Fifty patients with the disorder are in attendance. The nurse knows that, statistically _______ of these patients have a form of Crohn's disease that is familial in origin.