Deck 29: Gastrointestinal Disorders and Therapeutic Management

Question 1

A patient is admitted with a severe head injury.The nurse knows that critically ill patients are at risk for gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to stress-related mucosal disease.The nurse would monitor the patient for which signs and symptoms?

A) Metabolic acidosis and hypovolemia
B) Decreasing hemoglobin and hematocrit
C) Hyperkalemia and hypernatremia
D) Hematemesis and melena

Answer 1

Hematemesis and melena

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient with acute liver failure.The patient has elevated ammonia levels.Which medication would the nurse expect the practitioner to order for this patient?

A) Insulin
B) Vitamin K
C) Lactulose
D) Lorazepam

Answer 2

Lactulose

Question 3

A patient was admitted with severe epigastric pain and has been diagnosed with cancer.The patient is scheduled for an esophagectomy.The patient asks about the procedure.What would be an appropriate response from the nurse?

A) "This procedure is usually performed for cancer of the proximal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction."
B) "This procedure is usually performed for cancer of the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction."
C) "This procedure is usually performed for cancer of the pancreatic head."
D) "The procedure is usually performed for varices of the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction."

Answer 3

"This procedure is usually performed for cancer of the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction."

Question 4

A patient with a history of chronic alcoholism was admitted with acute pancreatitis.What intervention would the nurse include in the patient's plan of care?

A) Monitor the patient for hypovolemic shock from plasma volume depletion.
B) Observe the patient for hypoglycemia and hypercalcemia.
C) Initiate enteral feedings after the nasogastric tube is placed.
D) Place the patient on a fluid restriction to avoid the fluid sequestration.

Question 5

A patient with acute pancreatitis is complaining of a pain in the left upper quadrant.Using a 1- to 10-point pain scale,the patient states the current level is at an 8.What intervention would the nurse include in the patient's plan of care to facilitate pain control?

A) Administer analgesics only as needed.
B) Administer analgesics around the clock.
C) Educate the patient and family on lifestyle changes.
D) Teach relaxation and distraction techniques.

Question 6

A patient is admitted with a gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to esophagogastric varices.The nurse knows that varices are caused by which pathophysiologic mechanism?

A) Portal hypertension resulting in diversion of blood from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area
B) Superficial mucosal erosions as a result of increased stress levels
C) Loss of protective mechanisms resulting in the breakdown the mucosal resistance
D) Inflammation and ulceration secondary to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient with acute liver failure.The practitioner asks the nurse to assess the patient for asterixis.How should the nurse assess for this symptom?

A) Inflate a blood pressure cuff on the patient's arm.
B) Have the patient bring the knees to the chest.
C) Have the patient extend the arms and dorsiflex the wrists.
D) Dorsiflex the patient's foot.

Question 8

A patient was admitted with acute pancreatitis.The nurse understands that pancreatitis occurs as a result of what pathophysiologic mechanism?

A) Uncontrolled hypoglycemia caused by an increased release of insulin
B) Loss of storage capacity for senescent red blood cells
C) Premature activation of inactive digestive enzymes, resulting in autodigestion
D) Release of glycogen into the serum, resulting in hyperglycemia

Question 9

A patient is admitted with a gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to esophagogastric varices.What medication would the nurse expect the practitioner to order for this patient?

A) Histamine2 (H2) antagonists
B) Vasopressin
C) Heparin
D) Antacids

Question 10

A patient is admitted with an upper gastrointestinal bleed.Which disorder is the leading cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI)hemorrhage?

A) Stress ulcers
B) Peptic ulcers
C) Nonspecific erosive gastritis
D) Esophageal varices

Question 11

A Salem sump nasogastric tube has two lumens.The first lumen is for suction and drainage.What is the purpose of the second lumen?

A) Allows for administration of tube feeding
B) Allows for testing of gastric secretions
C) Prevents the tube from adhering to the gastric wall
D) Prevents the tube from advancing

Question 12

A patient is admitted with a gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to esophagogastric varices.The patient has been started on a vasopressin drip.The nurse would monitor the patient for which side effect of the medication?

A) Constipation
B) Diarrhea
C) Chest pain
D) Bleeding

Question 13

How would the nurse administer sucralfate through a gastric tube?

A) Crushed and mixed with 10 mL of water
B) Dissolved in 10 mL of water to form a slurry
C) Mixed in 15 mL of water to form a solution
D) Administered as a whole pill with a 35-mL water flush

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a patient after an esophagectomy.In the immediate postoperative period,which nursing intervention would have the highest priority?

A) Preventing atelectasis
B) Managing pain
C) Promoting ambulation
D) Preventing infection

Question 15

A patient was admitted with acute liver failure.The patient is lethargic,confused,and has marked asterixis.The nurse suspects the patient is in what stage of hepatic encephalopathy.

A) Stage 1
B) Stage 2
C) Stage 3
D) Stage 4

Question 16

A patient with a history of chronic alcoholism was admitted with acute pancreatitis.The nurse is developing a patient education plan.Which topic would the nurse include in the plan?

A) Diabetes management
B) Alcohol cessation
C) Occult blood testing
D) Anticoagulation management

Question 17

Which nursing intervention is a priority for a patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage?

A) Positioning the patient in a high-Fowler position
B) Ensuring the patient has a patent airway
C) Irrigating the nasogastric tube with iced saline
D) Maintaining venous access so that fluids and blood can be administered

Question 18

The nurse is caring for a patient after an esophagectomy.The nurse knows the patient is at risk for an anastomotic leak.Which finding would indicate this occurrence?

A) Crackles in the lung bases
B) Subcutaneous emphysema
C) Incisional bleeding
D) Absent of bowel sounds

Question 19

An older patient reports taking cimetidine for several years.The nurse knows that this medication can cause central nervous system side effects.For what side effect would the nurse monitor the patient?

A) Tremors
B) Dizziness
C) Confusion
D) Hallucinations

Question 20

A patient was admitted after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP).A nursing student asks the nurse what type of surgery an RYGBP is.What would be an appropriate response from the nurse?

A) "It is an esophagectomy performed using the transthoracic approach."
B) "It is an esophagectomy performed using a transhiatal approach."
C) "It is a combination of restrictive and malabsorption types of bariatric surgery."
D) "It is a standard operation for pancreatic cancer."

Question 21

Which disorders or conditions are potential causes of acute liver failure?

A) Ischemia
B) Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, non-A, non-B, non-C
C) Acetaminophen toxicity
D) Wilson disease
E) Reye syndrome
F) Diabetes

Question 22

A patient has been admitted with acute liver failure.Which interventions would the nurse expect as part of the interprofessional collaborative management plan?

A) Benzodiazepines for agitation
B) Pulse oximetry and serial arterial blood gas measurements
C) Insulin drip for hyperglycemia and hyperkalemia
D) Monitoring electrolyte blood levels
E) Assessing for signs of cerebral edema
F) Fever

Question 23

A patient has been admitted with severe abdominal pain.When examining the patient,the nurse notes hypoactive bowel sounds,abdominal guarding,distention,and a discoloration around the umbilicus.The nurse suspects the patient may have which condition?

A) Peptic ulcer disease
B) Esophageal varices
C) Acute liver failure
D) Acute pancreatitis

Question 24

A patient has been admitted with pancreatitis.Which clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to observe in support of this diagnosis?

A) Epigastric and abdominal pain
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Diaphoresis
D) Jaundice
E) Hyperactive bowel sounds
F) Fever

Question 25

A patient is admitted with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.The nurse expects which laboratory values to be elevated?

A) Calcium
B) Serum amylase
C) Serum glucose
D) Potassium
E) White blood cells
F) Serum triglycerides