Question 1

A patient who is recovering from surgery for stomach cancer a month ago continues to experience dumping syndrome. Which of the following should the nurse instruct this patient?

Accepted Answer

Dumping syndrome is a common complication of stomach surgery, but it typically resolves within 6 to 12 months. Therefore, the nurse should reassure the patient that this is a self-limiting condition and that it should resolve with time. Option B is incorrect because it is not accurate. Dumping syndrome usually resolves, and patients don't experience symptoms their entire life. Option C is incorrect because there are treatments available, such as dietary changes and medication. Option D is incorrect because limiting the diet to only clear liquids does not provide adequate nutrition and is not a sustainable treatment plan.

Question 2

A patient who is in need of a radical neck dissection for cancer continues to delay the surgery. Which of the following nursing diagnoses would best describe the reason for this patient's delay?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient who is in need of...

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a patient about the major risk factors for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). The two major risk factors for PUD are which of the following?  Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Chronic H. pylori infection and use of aspirin and NSAIDs are the two major risk factors for peptic ulcer disease. While diet and stress can exacerbate symptoms, they are not considered major risk factors. The use of alcohol may also increase the risk of developing PUD, but it is not considered a major risk factor.

Question 4

A patient tells the nurse, "I get these tremendous stomach pains in the middle of the night and they disappear after I eat something. No wonder I can't lose any weight!" The nurse suspects that this patient is experiencing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Peptic ulcer disease is characterized by the presence of ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, which can cause pain that often improves after eating. This is because food can buffer stomach acid or stimulate the production of mucus, which protects the stomach lining, temporarily relieving the pain caused by the ulcer.

Question 5

The nurse learns that a patient who is being treated for peptic ulcer disease is still "having problems." Which of the following should the nurse instruct this patient to do?

Accepted Answer

Smoking can exacerbate peptic ulcer disease by increasing stomach acid production and reducing the effectiveness of medications. Smoking cessation can help improve symptoms and promote healing.

Question 6

A patient with chronic gastritis says, "I've stopped taking the medication because I feel so much better now that I drink ginger tea." The nurse realizes that this patient

Accepted Answer

The patient is using a complementary therapy (ginger tea) for the symptoms of chronic gastritis. This can be helpful but should not replace prescribed medication without consulting a healthcare provider.

Question 7

A patient who had stomach cancer surgery two years ago comes into the clinic fearful that the "cancer is back because I'm so tired all of the time."." The nurse realizes that this patient is likely experiencing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The statement about feeling tired all the time suggests a possible vitamin deficiency. While it is important to rule out a cancer recurrence, it is not necessarily the most likely cause of the patient's fatigue. Metastasis can cause fatigue, but the patient did not provide any other symptoms that would suggest this. Ineffective coping is not relevant to this particular symptom.

Question 8

When teaching a patient with fungal stomatitis about performing oral care, the nurse would include which of the following topics?  Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Avoiding tobacco and alcohol helps prevent irritation and worsening of the condition. Using saline or sodium bicarbonate rinse helps maintain oral hygiene and reduce fungal growth. Consuming yogurt or buttermilk can help restore normal oral flora due to their probiotic content.

Question 9

The nurse is preparing the morning medications for a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following nursing interventions would be appropriate for this patient's medications?

Accepted Answer

Holding the antacids for at least two hours after oral medications are taken is appropriate for a patient with GERD as many medications can interact with antacids and reduce their effectiveness. Giving medications at 1000, giving antacids first and then oral medications, or giving antacids only at the hour of sleep are not best practices for administering medications for this patient.

Question 10

Patient teaching in the management of dumping syndrome following a gastrectomy for cancer of the stomach includes which of the following topics?  Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

- Consuming small, frequent meals helps to manage the volume of food intake, which can mitigate symptoms of dumping syndrome.- Positioning in a semi-recumbent position after meals can slow the transit of food from the stomach to the intestines, reducing symptoms.- Anticholinergics and antispasmodics can help to decrease gastrointestinal motility and manage symptoms.

Question 11

A patient who is experiencing difficulty swallowing is diagnosed with esophageal cancer after having a barium swallow. The nurse realizes that the diagnostic test must have displayed which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A barium swallow test is used to visualize the structure of the esophagus. In the case of esophageal cancer, it would show a narrowing of the esophageal lumen due to the presence of a tumor.

Question 12

The nurse learns that an elderly patient with ill-fitting dentures has been using an over-the-counter preparation for a gum sore over the last month. Which of the following should the nurse instruct this patient to do?

Accepted Answer

The patient should make an appointment to see the physician as the combination of ill-fitting dentures and the use of over-the-counter preparation for gum sore could be an indication for a more serious oral health issue that requires treatment by a healthcare provider.

Question 13

A patient with nausea says, "I'm tired of taking this medication. All it does is make me nauseated." Which of the following could the nurse instruct this patient to do?

Accepted Answer

Suggesting the patient to eat a dry cracker may help alleviate the nausea symptoms caused by the medication. Encouraging the patient to stop taking the medication or suggesting that the patient take the medication with a heavy meal may not be appropriate without consulting the healthcare provider. Doing nothing does not address the patient's concern.

Question 14

The nurse is preparing to instruct a patient who is newly diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) about dietary considerations. Which of the following should the nurse include in these instructions?  Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Peppermint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, worsening GERD symptoms.
B) Large meals can increase pressure on the stomach and exacerbate GERD symptoms. Small, frequent meals can help alleviate symptoms.
C) Eating close to bedtime can increase the risk of acid reflux, so it is recommended to avoid eating up to three hours before bedtime. 
D) Citrus fruits can worsen GERD symptoms, so it is not recommended to eat at least one citrus fruit per day.
E) Alcohol can increase acid production and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, so it is recommended to limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day or avoid it altogether if possible. Limiting to two drinks per day may still exacerbate symptoms for some people.

Question 15

The nurse is assessing a patient with gastrointestinal dysfunction who says, "I was having chest pain so bad last week I thought I was having a heart attack!" The nurse suspects that the patient was experiencing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hiatal hernia can cause symptoms of chest pain that may mimic symptoms of a heart attack. The other options do not typically cause chest pain.

Question 16

A patient with a long history of chewing tobacco says, "I've been chewing for years. I'm not going to get cancer." Which of the following would be an appropriate nursing response?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should educate the patient that use of smokeless tobacco has been linked to oral cancer to dispel the patient's belief that they are immune to cancer.

Question 17

The physician has ordered Reglan 2 mg/kg IVP to be given 30 minutes before the start of chemotherapy. The patient weighs 54 kg. The Reglan is dispensed in a 10 mg/10 mL vial. How many cc's of Reglan will the patient receive? ___________

Accepted Answer

The answer of The physician has ordered Reglan 2 mg/kg...

Question 18

A patient with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) says, "I feel so much better now that I've stopped eating." The nurse realizes that this patient is at risk for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement indicates that they may be limiting their food intake, which can lead to imbalanced nutrition and inadequate caloric intake. This can worsen the patient's condition and delay healing. The other options are not supported by the patient's statement.

Question 19

All of the following are diagnostic procedures that may be used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which two are most frequently used?  Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Barium swallow (A) and upper endoscopy (B) are the most frequently used diagnostic procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A barium swallow can help visualize the esophagus and detect abnormalities, while upper endoscopy allows direct visualization of the esophageal lining to identify signs of damage from acid reflux.

Question 20

A patient is being prepared for chemotherapy and the doctor has ordered Zofran 0.15 mg/kg IV to be given 30 minutes prior to starting the chemotherapy. The patient weighs 80 kg. How many mg of Zofran will the patient receive? ___________

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient is being prepared for chemotherapy...

Quiz 23: Nursing Care of Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders