Deck 29: Bowel Elimination

Question 1

A patient with a skin infection is prescribed cephalexin (an antibiotic)500 mg orally q 12 hours.The patient complains that the last time he took this medication he had frequent episodes of loose stools.Which recommendation should the nurse make to the patient?

A) Stop taking the drug immediately if diarrhea develops.
B) Take an antidiarrheal agent,such as diphenoxylate.
C) Consume yogurt daily while taking the antibiotic.
D) Increase your intake of fiber until the diarrhea stops.

Answer 1

Consume yogurt daily while taking the antibiotic.

Question 2

Considering normal developmental and physical maturation in children,for which age would a goal of "Achieves bowel control by the end of this month" be most realistic?

A) 18 months
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years

Answer 2

3 years

Question 3

Which food item should the nurse instruct the patient to consume to prevent or treat constipation?

A) Milk and cheese
B) Bread and pasta
C) Fruits and vegetables
D) Lean meats

Answer 3

Fruits and vegetables

Question 4

The nurse auscultates low-pitched infrequent bowel sounds in a patient recovering from a bowel resection.How should this finding be documented?

A) Hyperactive bowel sounds
B) Abdominal bruit sounds
C) Normal bowel sounds
D) Hypoactive bowel sounds

Question 5

The nurse is instructing a patient about performing home testing for fecal occult blood.What food should the patient state to avoid eating for 3 days before the test?

A) Beef
B) Milk
C) Eggs
D) Oatmeal

Question 6

Which collaborative interventions will help prevent paralytic ileus in a patient who underwent right hemicolectomy for colon cancer?

A) Administer morphine 4 mg IV every 2 hours for pain.
B) Administer IV fluids at 125 mL/hr.
C) Insert an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor I&O.
D) Keep the nasogastric tube to low suction.

Question 7

The healthcare team suspects that a patient has an intestinal infection.Which action should the nurse take to help confirm the diagnosis?

A) Prepare the patient for an abdominal flat plate.
B) Collect a stool specimen that contains 20 to 30 mL of liquid stool.
C) Administer a laxative to prepare the patient for a colonoscopy.
D) Test the patient's stool using a fecal occult test.

Question 8

A patient with severe hemorrhoids is incontinent of liquid stool.Which intervention is contraindicated for this patient?

A) Apply an indwelling fecal drainage device.
B) Apply an external fecal collection device.
C) Place an incontinence garment on the patient.
D) Place a waterproof pad under the patient's buttocks.

Question 9

A mother of a school-age child seeks healthcare because her child has had diarrhea after being ill with a viral infection.The patient states that after vomiting for 24 hours,his appetite has returned.Which recommendation should the nurse make to this mother?

A) Consume a diet consisting of bananas,white rice,applesauce,and toast.
B) Drink large quantities of water regularly to prevent dehydration.
C) Take loperamide (an antidiarrheal)as needed to control diarrhea.
D) Increase the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables.

Question 10

The nurse must irrigate the colostomy of a patient who is unable to move independently.How should the nurse position the patient for this procedure?

A) Semi-Fowler's position
B) Left side-lying position
C) Supine with the head of the bed lowered flat
D) Supine with the head of bed raised to 30 degrees

Question 11

The nurse is instructing a patient about performing home testing for fecal occult blood.The nurse should explain that ingestion of which substance may cause a false-negative fecal occult blood test?

A) Vitamin D
B) Iron
C) Vitamin C
D) Thiamine

Question 12

Which is a key treatment intervention for the patient admitted with diverticulitis?

A) Antacid
B) Antidiarrheal agent
C) Antibiotic therapy
D) NSAIDs

Question 13

A patient is diagnosed with an intestinal infection after traveling abroad.The nurse should encourage the intake of which food to promote healing?

A) Yogurt
B) Pasta
C) Oatmeal
D) Broccoli

Question 14

When changing a diaper,the nurse observes that a 2-day-old infant has passed a green-black,tarry stool.What should the nurse do?

A) Notify the provider immediately.
B) Do nothing; this is normal.
C) Give the baby sterile water until the mother's milk comes in.
D) Apply a skin barrier cream to the buttocks to prevent irritation.

Question 15

A patient with a colostomy complains to the nurse,"I am noticing really bad odors coming from my pouch." To help control odor,which foods should the nurse advise the patient to consume?

A) White rice and toast
B) Tomatoes and dried fruit
C) Asparagus and melons
D) Yogurt and parsley

Question 16

A nurse is teaching wellness to a women's group.The nurse should explain the importance of consuming at least how many 8-ounce servings of fluid to promote healthy bowel function?

A) 2 to 3
B) 4 to 5
C) 6 to 8
D) 9 to 10

Question 17

The nurse in a long-term care facility is teaching a group of residents about increasing dietary fiber.Which foods should the nurse explain are high in fiber?

A) White bread,pasta,and white rice
B) Oranges,raisins,and strawberries
C) Whole milk,eggs,and bacon
D) Peaches,orange juice,and bananas

Question 18

The nurse educates a patient about the primary risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome.Which patient behavior indicates teaching has been effective?

A) Reduces intake of gluten-containing products.
B) Does not consume foods that contain lactose.
C) Consumes only two servings of caffeinated beverages per day.
D) Takes measures to reduce stress level.

Question 19

Which action should the nurse take to assess a 2-year-old child for pinworms?

A) Press clear cellophane tape against the anal opening at night to obtain a specimen.
B) Collect a freshly passed stool from a diaper using a wooden specimen blade.
C) Place a smear of stool on a slide and add two drops of reagent.
D) Prepare the patient for a flat plate (x-ray)of the abdomen.

Question 20

The nurse assesses a patient's abdomen 4 days after abdominal surgery and notes that bowel sounds are absent.This finding most likely suggests which postoperative complication?

A) Paralytic ileus
B) Small bowel obstruction
C) Diarrhea
D) Constipation

Question 21

The nurse must administer an enema to an adult patient with constipation.Which is a safe and effective distance for the nurse to insert the tubing into the patient's rectum? Select all that apply.

A) 2 in.(5.1 cm)
B) 3 in.(7.6 cm)
C) 4 in.(10.2 cm)
D) 5 in.(12.7 cm)
E) 6 in.(15.25 cm)

Question 22

A client is scheduled for surgery to create a temporary ostomy.What should the nurse emphasize when teaching about this bowel diversion?

A) Produces solid feces
B) Creates two separate stomas
C) Bypasses the large intestine
D) Permits the bowel to rest and heal

Question 23

The nurse notes that a client has a loop colostomy.What should the nurse ensure when providing care to this client?

A) Plastic rod is in place.
B) Irrigations occur every day.
C) Ostomy appliance is changed every 6 hours.
D) Bedside commode is in place for bowel evacuation.

Question 24

A client with sluggish bowel movements asks what causes evacuation to occur.What muscle activity should the nurse explain to this client? Select all that apply.

A) Flatus
B) Peristalsis
C) Mass peristalsis
D) Haustral churning
E) Valsalva maneuver

Question 25

The nurse prepares teaching material for a client scheduled for an ileostomy.What information is essential to include when teaching this client?

A) It is usually temporary.
B) Irrigation can control bowel movements.
C) An ostomy device must be worn at all times.
D) Changing the diet can control bowel movements.

Question 26

The nurse plans care for a client who is bedridden.Which laxative should be avoided to treat constipation in this client?

A) Osmotic
B) Stimulant
C) Mineral oil
D) Stool softener

Question 27

A patient who has been immobile since sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle crash complains of constipation.The nurse encourages him to consume eight to ten 8-ounce servings of fluid daily.Which fluid should the patient avoid because of the diuretic effect? Select all that apply.

A) Cranberry juice
B) Water
C) Coffee
D) Ginger ale
E) Tea

Question 28

The nurse prepares an educational program on irritable bowel syndrome for a group of clients.What should the nurse emphasize as the role of the small intestine? Select all that apply.

A) Digests lipids
B) Secretes mucus
C) Absorbs vitamins
D) Processes chyme
E) Absorbs carbohydrates

Question 29

Which factor places the patient at risk for constipation? Select all that apply.

A) Sedentary lifestyle
B) High-dose calcium therapy
C) Lactose intolerance
D) Consuming spicy foods
E) High intake of caffeine

Question 30

A patient has a colostomy in the descending (sigmoid)colon and wants to control bowel evacuation and possibly stop wearing an ostomy pouch.What should the nurse teach so that this patient can achieve this goal?

A) Call the primary care provider if the stoma becomes pale,dusky,or black.
B) Limit the intake of gas-forming foods such as cabbage,onions,and fish.
C) Irrigate the stoma to produce a bowel movement on a schedule.
D) Avoid returning to the use of an ostomy appliance if he becomes ill.