Deck 22: The Child with Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

Question 1

An infant is brought to the emergency department with dehydration. Which physical assessment finding does the nurse expect?

A) Weight gain
B) Bradycardia
C) Poor skin turgor
D) Brisk capillary refill

Answer 1

Poor skin turgor

Question 2

Parents call the clinic and report that their toddler has had acute diarrhea for 24 hours. The nurse should further ask the parents if the toddler has which associated factor that is causing the acute diarrhea?

A) Celiac disease
B) Antibiotic therapy
C) Immunodeficiency
D) Protein malnutrition

Answer 2

Antibiotic therapy

Question 3

A child is admitted with bacterial gastroenteritis. Which lab results of a stool specimen confirm this diagnosis?

A) Eosinophils
B) Occult blood
C) pH less than 6
D) Neutrophils and red blood cells

Answer 3

Neutrophils and red blood cells

Question 4

Enemas are ordered to empty the bowel preoperatively for a child with Hirschsprung disease. What enema solution should be used?

A) Tap water
B) Normal saline
C) Oil retention
D) Phosphate preparation

Question 5

A young child is brought to the emergency department with severe dehydration secondary to acute diarrhea and vomiting. What should therapeutic management of this child begin with?

A) Intravenous (IV) fluids
B) ORS
C) Clear liquids, 1 to 2 ounces at a time
D) Administration of antidiarrheal medication

Question 6

Which condition in a child should alert a nurse for increased fluid requirements?

A) Fever
B) Mechanical ventilation
C) Congestive heart failure
D) Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Question 7

Which therapeutic management treatment is implemented for children with Hirschsprung disease?

A) Daily enemas
B) Low-fiber diet
C) Permanent colostomy
D) Surgical removal of affected section of bowel

Question 8

Constipation has recently become a problem for a school-age girl. She is healthy except for seasonal allergies that are being treated with antihistamines. What should the nurse suspect caused the constipation?

A) Diet
B) Allergies
C) Antihistamines
D) Emotional factors

Question 9

The nurse is explaining to a parent how to care for a school-age child with vomiting associated with a viral illness. Which action should the nurse include?

A) Avoid carbohydrate-containing liquids.
B) Give nothing by mouth for 24 hours.
C) Brush teeth or rinse mouth after vomiting.
D) Give plain water until vomiting ceases for at least 24 hours.

Question 10

Which therapeutic management should the nurse prepare to initiate first for a child with acute diarrhea and moderate dehydration?

A) Clear liquids
B) Adsorbents, such as kaolin and pectin
C) Oral rehydration solution (ORS)
D) Antidiarrheal medications such as paregoric

Question 11

Which pathogen is the viral pathogen that frequently causes acute diarrhea in young children?

A) Giardia organisms
B) Shigella organisms
C) Rotavirus
D) Salmonella organisms

Question 12

A 3-year-old child with Hirschsprung disease is hospitalized for surgery. A temporary colostomy will be necessary. The nurse should recognize that preparing this child psychologically is:

A) not necessary because of child's age.
B) not necessary because colostomy is temporary.
C) necessary because it will be an adjustment.
D) necessary because the child must deal with a negative body image.

Question 13

A mother calls the clinic nurse about her 4-year-old son who has acute diarrhea. She has been giving him the antidiarrheal drug loperamide (Imodium A-D). The nurse's response should be based on what knowledge about this drug?

A) Not indicated
B) Indicated because it slows intestinal motility
C) Indicated because it decreases diarrhea
D) Indicated because it decreases fluid and electrolyte losses

Question 14

A nurse is conducting an in-service on gastrointestinal disorders. The nurse includes that melena, the passage of black, tarry stools, suggests bleeding from which area?

A) Perianal or rectal area
B) Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
C) Upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
D) Lower GI tract

Question 15

Which is a high-fiber food that the nurse should recommend for a child with chronic constipation?

A) Raisins
B) Pancakes
C) Muffins
D) Ripe bananas

Question 16

A 4-month-old infant has gastroesophageal reflux (GER) but is thriving without other complications. Which should the nurse suggest to minimize reflux?

A) Place in Trendelenburg position after eating.
B) Thicken formula with rice cereal.
C) Give continuous nasogastric tube feedings.
D) Give larger, less frequent feedings.

Question 17

Which is a parasite that causes acute diarrhea?

A) Shigella organisms
B) Salmonella organisms
C) Giardia lamblia
D) Escherichia coli

Question 18

A nurse is admitting an infant with dehydration caused from water loss in excess of electrolyte loss. Which type of dehydration is this infant experiencing?

A) Isotonic
B) Isosmotic
C) Hypotonic
D) Hypertonic

Question 19

A school-age child with diarrhea has been rehydrated. The nurse is discussing the child's diet with the family. Which statement by the parent would indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?

A) "I will keep my child on a clear liquid diet for the next 24 hours."
B) "I should encourage my child to drink carbonated drinks but avoid food for the next 24 hours."
C) "I will offer my child bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast for the next 48 hours."
D) "I should have my child eat a normal diet with easily digested foods for the next 48 hours."

Question 20

Which type of dehydration is defined as "dehydration that occurs in conditions in which electrolyte and water deficits are present in approximately balanced proportion"?

A) Isotonic dehydration
B) Hypotonic dehydration
C) Hypertonic dehydration
D) All types of dehydration in infants and small children

Question 21

Which vaccine is now recommended for the immunization of all newborns?

A) Hepatitis A vaccine
B) Hepatitis B vaccine
C) Hepatitis C vaccine
D) Hepatitis A, B, and C vaccines

Question 22

The nurse is caring for an infant whose cleft lip was repaired. What important aspects of this infant's postoperative care should be included?

A) Arm restraints, postural drainage, mouth irrigations
B) Cleansing the suture line, supine and side-lying positions, arm restraints
C) Mouth irrigations, prone position, cleansing the suture line
D) Supine and side-lying positions, postural drainage, arm restraints

Question 23

Which clinical manifestation would be the most suggestive of acute appendicitis?

A) Rebound tenderness
B) Bright red or dark red rectal bleeding
C) Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating
D) Abdominal pain that is most intense at McBurney point

Question 24

The nurse is caring for a neonate with a suspected tracheoesophageal fistula. What nursing care should be included?

A) Elevate the head but give nothing by mouth.
B) Elevate the head for feedings.
C) Feed glucose water only.
D) Avoid suctioning unless infant is cyanotic.

Question 25

A nurse is admitting a child with Crohn disease. Parents ask the nurse, "How is this disease different from ulcerative colitis?" Which statement should the nurse make when answering this question?

A) "With Crohn disease the inflammatory process involves the whole GI tract."
B) "There is no difference between the two diseases."
C) "The inflammation with Crohn disease is limited to the colon and rectum."
D) "Ulcerative colitis is characterized by skip lesions."

Question 26

A nurse is admitting an infant with biliary atresia. Which is the earliest clinical manifestation of biliary atresia the nurse should expect to assess?

A) Jaundice
B) Vomiting
C) Hepatomegaly
D) Absence of stooling

Question 27

What is the best description of pyloric stenosis?

A) Dilation of the pylorus
B) Hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle
C) Hypotonicity of the pyloric muscle
D) Reduction of tone in the pyloric muscle

Question 28

Which is used to treat moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease?

A) Antacids
B) Antibiotics
C) Corticosteroids
D) Antidiarrheal medications

Question 29

A histamine-receptor antagonist such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac) is ordered for an infant with GER. What is the purpose of this medication?

A) Prevent reflux
B) Prevent hematemesis
C) Reduce gastric acid production
D) Increase gastric acid production

Question 30

What should be included in caring for the newborn with a cleft lip and palate before surgical repair?

A) Gastrostomy feedings
B) Keeping infant in near-horizontal position during feedings
C) Allowing little or no sucking
D) Providing satisfaction of sucking needs

Question 31

When caring for a child with probable appendicitis, the nurse should be alert to recognize that which condition or symptom is a sign of perforation?

A) Bradycardia
B) Anorexia
C) Sudden relief from pain
D) Decreased abdominal distention

Question 32

A mother who intended to breastfeed has given birth to an infant with a cleft palate. What nursing interventions should be included?

A) Giving medication to suppress lactation.
B) Encouraging and helping mother to breastfeed.
C) Teaching mother to feed breast milk by gavage.
D) Recommending use of a breast pump to maintain lactation until infant can suck.

Question 33

Which statement best characterizes hepatitis A?

A) Incubation period is 6 weeks to 6 months.
B) Principal mode of transmission is through the parenteral route.
C) Onset is usually rapid and acute.
D) There is a persistent carrier state.

Question 34

A newborn was admitted to the nursery with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. The physician explained the plan of therapy and its expected good results. However, the mother refuses to see or hold her baby. What is the initial therapeutic approach for the mother?

A) Restating what the physician has told her about plastic surgery.
B) Encouraging her to express her feelings.
C) Emphasizing the normalcy of her baby and the baby's need for mothering.
D) Recognizing that negative feelings toward the child continue throughout childhood.

Question 35

The nurse is caring for a child admitted with acute abdominal pain and possible appendicitis. Which is appropriate to relieve the abdominal discomfort?

A) Place in Trendelenburg position.
B) Allow to assume position of comfort.
C) Apply moist heat to the abdomen.
D) Administer a saline enema to cleanse bowel.

Question 36

Why are bismuth subsalicylate, clarithromycin, and metronidazole prescribed for a child with a peptic ulcer?

A) Eradicate Helicobacter pylori
B) Coat gastric mucosa
C) Treat epigastric pain
D) Reduce gastric acid production

Question 37

During the first few days after surgery for cleft lip, which intervention should the nurse do?

A) Leave infant in crib at all times to prevent suture strain.
B) Keep infant heavily sedated to prevent suture strain.
C) Remove restraints periodically to cuddle infant.
D) Alternate position from prone to side-lying to supine.

Question 38

What offers the best chance of survival for a child with cirrhosis?

A) Liver transplantation
B) Treatment with corticosteroids
C) Treatment with immune globulin
D) Provision of nutritional support

Question 39

Which type of hernia has an impaired blood supply to the herniated organ?

A) Hiatal hernia
B) Incarcerated hernia
C) Omphalocele
D) Strangulated hernia

Question 40

A nurse is conducting an in-service on childhood gastrointestinal disorders. Which statement is most descriptive of Meckel diverticulum?

A) It is more common in females than in males.
B) It is acquired during childhood.
C) Intestinal bleeding may be mild or profuse.
D) Medical interventions are usually sufficient to treat the problem.

Question 41

The nurse is caring for an infant with suspected pyloric stenosis. Which clinical manifestation would indicate pyloric stenosis?

A) Abdominal rigidity and pain on palpation
B) Rounded abdomen and hypoactive bowel sounds
C) Visible peristalsis and weight loss
D) Distention of lower abdomen and constipation

Question 42

A child has an NG tube to continuous low intermittent suction. The physician's prescription is to replace the previous 4-hour NG output with a normal saline piggyback over a 2-hour period. The NG output for the previous 4 hours totaled 50 ml. What milliliter/hour rate should the nurse administer to replace normal saline piggyback? (Record your answer in a whole number.)

Question 43

One of the supervisors for a home health agency asks the nurse to give the family a survey evaluating the nurses and other service providers. How should the nurse interpret this request?

A) Inappropriate, unless nurses are able to evaluate family.
B) Appropriate to improve quality of care.
C) Inappropriate, unless nurses and other providers agree to participate.
D) Inappropriate, because family lacks knowledge necessary to evaluate professionals.

Question 44

An infant with short bowel syndrome will be discharged home on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and gastrostomy feedings. What should be included in the discharge teaching?

A) Prepare family for impending death.
B) Teach family signs of central venous catheter infection.
C) Teach family how to calculate caloric needs.
D) Secure TPN and gastrostomy tubing under diaper to lessen risk of dislodgment.

Question 45

A nurse is planning preoperative care for a newborn with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Which interventions should the nurse plan to implement? (Select all that apply.)

A) Positioning with head elevated on a 30-degree plane
B) Feedings through a gastrostomy tube
C) Nasogastric tube to continuous low wall suction
D) Suctioning with a Replogle tube passed orally to the end of the pouch
E) Gastrostomy tube to gravity drainage

Question 46

What are the results of excessive vomiting in an infant with pyloric stenosis?

A) Hyperchloremia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Metabolic acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis

Question 47

Which is an important nursing consideration in the care of a child with celiac disease?

A) Refer to a nutritionist for detailed dietary instructions and education.
B) Help child and family understand that diet restrictions are usually only temporary.
C) Teach proper hand washing and standard precautions to prevent disease transmission.
D) Suggest ways to cope more effectively with stress to minimize symptoms.

Question 48

The nurse is preparing to care for an infant returning from pyloromyotomy surgery. Which prescribed orders should the nurse anticipate implementing? (Select all that apply.)

A) NPO for 24 hours
B) Administration of analgesics for pain
C) Ice bag to the incisional area
D) IV fluids continued until tolerating PO
E) Clear liquids as the first feeding

Question 49

A family wants to begin oral feeding of their 4-year-old son, who is ventilator-dependent and currently tube-fed. They ask the home health nurse to feed him the baby food orally. The nurse recognizes a high risk of aspiration and an already compromised respiratory status. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

A) Refuse to feed him orally because the risk is too high.
B) Explain the risks involved, and then let the family decide what should be done.
C) Feed him orally because the family has the right to make this decision for their child.
D) Acknowledge their request, explain the risks, and explore with the family the available options.

Question 50

A child who has just had definitive repair of a high rectal malformation is to be discharged. Which should the nurse address in the discharge preparation of this family? (Select all that apply.)

A) Perineal and wound care
B) Necessity of firm stools to keep suture line clean
C) Bowel training beginning as soon as child returns home
D) Reporting any changes in stooling patterns to practitioner
E) Use of diet modification to prevent constipation

Question 51

A nurse is conducting dietary teaching on high-fiber foods for parents of a child with constipation. Which foods should the nurse include as being high in fiber? (Select all that apply.)

A) White rice
B) Avocados
C) Whole grain breads
D) Bran pancakes
E) Raw carrots

Question 52

Parents of a child undergoing an endoscopy to rule out peptic ulcer disease (PUD) from H. pylori ask the nurse, "If H. pylori is found, will my child need another endoscopy to know that it is gone?" Which is the nurse's best response?

A) "Yes, the only way to know the H. pylori has been eradicated is with another endoscopy."
B) "We can collect a stool sample and confirm that the H. pylori has been eradicated."
C) "A blood test can be done to determine that the H. pylori is no longer present."
D) "Your child will always test positive for H. pylori because after treatment it goes into remission but can't be completely eradicated."

Question 53

What is invagination of one segment of bowel within another called?

A) Atresia
B) Stenosis
C) Herniation
D) Intussusception

Question 54

Which is true concerning hepatitis B? (Select all that apply.)

A) Hepatitis B cannot exist in carrier state.
B) Hepatitis B can be prevented by HBV vaccine.
C) Hepatitis B can be transferred to an infant of a breastfeeding mother.
D) Onset of hepatitis B is insidious.
E) Principal mode of transmission for hepatitis B is fecal-oral route.
F) Immunity to hepatitis B occurs after one attack.

Question 55

The nurse is caring for a boy with probable intussusception. He had diarrhea before admission but, while waiting for administration of air pressure to reduce the intussusception, he passes a normal brown stool. Which nursing action is the most appropriate?

A) Notify practitioner
B) Measure abdominal girth
C) Auscultate for bowel sounds
D) Take vital signs, including blood pressure

Question 56

A child has recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and a dairy-free diet has been prescribed for 2 weeks. Which explanation is the reason for prescribing a dairy-free diet?

A) To rule out lactose intolerance
B) To rule out celiac disease
C) To rule out sensitivity to high sugar content
D) To rule out peptic ulcer disease

Question 57

The home care nurse has been visiting an adolescent with recently acquired tetraplegia. The teen's mother tells the nurse, "I'm sick of providing all the care while my husband does whatever he wants to, whenever he wants to do it." Which should be the initial action of the nurse?

A) Refer mother for counseling.
B) Listen and reflect mother's feelings.
C) Ask father, in private, why he does not help.
D) Suggest ways the mother can get her husband to help.

Question 58

Which observation made of the exposed abdomen is most indicative of pyloric stenosis?

A) Abdominal rigidity
B) Substernal retraction
C) Palpable olive-like mass
D) Marked distention of lower abdomen

Question 59

A nurse is receiving report on a newborn admitted yesterday after a gastroschisis repair. In the report, the nurse is told the newborn has a physician's prescription for an NG tube to low intermittent suction. The reporting nurse confirms that the NG tube is to low intermittent suction and draining light green stomach contents. Upon initial assessment, the nurse notes that the newborn has pulled the NG tube out. Which is the priority action the nurse should take?

A) Replace the NG tube and continue the low intermittent suction.
B) Leave the NG tube out and notify the physician at the end of the shift.
C) Leave the NG tube out and monitor for bowel sounds.
D) Replace the NG tube, but leave to gravity drainage instead of low wall suction.