Deck 47: Assessment of Gastrointestinal Function

Question 1

When instructing a client on the three steps of a proctosigmoidoscopy, which of the following would not be included?

A) Placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube for gastric deflation
B) Digital examination to dilate the anal sphincters to detect obstruction
C) Sigmoidoscope to examine the distal sigmoid colon and rectum
D) Proctoscope to examine the lower rectum and anal canal

Answer 1

Placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube for gastric deflation

Question 2

The nurse, planning care for a client diagnosed with severe facial trauma, realizes that which of the following will not be used when caring for this client?

A) Blood pressure cuff
B) Nasogastric tube
C) Indwelling urinary catheter
D) Doppler

Answer 2

Nasogastric tube

Question 3

A client, scheduled for a colonoscopy, is provided with a polyethylene glycol solution to ingest the day before the test. Which of the following should the nurse instruct the client about this solution?

A) Keep the solution at room temperature.
B) Sip the solution throughout the day until bowel movements begin.
C) Drink 8 ounces of the solution every 10 minutes until totally consumed.
D) Drink 8 ounces of the solution every hour until bowel movements begin.

Answer 3

Drink 8 ounces of the solution every 10 minutes until totally consumed.

Question 4

A client is experiencing excessive belching. Which of the following can the nurse instruct this client? (Select all that apply.)

A) Eat slowly.
B) Do not drink with a straw.
C) Avoid carbonated beverages.
D) Do not smoke.
E) Do not chew gum.
F) Avoid eating onions.

Question 5

A client is being assessed for gastrointestinal system dysfunction. The nurse realizes an impairment of this function could affect which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Absorption of food
B) Digestion of food
C) Metabolism of food
D) Utilization of oxygen
E) Synthesis of red blood cells
F) Filtering of water

Question 6

A client is diagnosed with insufficient hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The nurse realizes this client will most likely need which of the following vitamin supplements?

A) A
B) B-12
C) C
D) D

Question 7

A client is experiencing straining at stool with the production of hard stools. The nurse realizes this client might be diagnosed with constipation if the client also has:

A) fewer than six bowel movements per week.
B) fewer than five bowel movements per week.
C) fewer than four bowel movements per week.
D) fewer than three bowel movements per week.

Question 8

Which of the following questions should the nurse ask while doing an assessment of a client's digestive system?

A) "Were you breastfed or bottle-fed as an infant?"
B) "Do you have knowledge of the food pyramid?"
C) "What medication have you taken, even over-the-counter drugs?"
D) "Do you drink coffee or tea with meals?"

Question 9

The nurse is preparing to conduct an abdominal assessment on a client and realizes that this assessment should be performed in the order of:

A) inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion.
B) inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
C) auscultation, palpation, percussion, and inspection.
D) percussion, palpation, inspection, and auscultation.

Question 10

The nurse has determined a client has absent bowel sounds because no sounds have been heard in all four quadrants for :

A) 1 minute.
B) 2 minutes.
C) 30 seconds.
D) 5 minutes.

Question 11

During the eating habits portion of an assessment of a client's gastrointestinal system, the nurse should assess which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

A) Fluid intake
B) Urine output
C) Blood pressure
D) Bowel habits
E) Food intolerance
F) Appetite

Question 12

The nurse realizes that a client diagnosed with heartburn will most likely experiencing symptoms:

A) 1 hour before eating.
B) while eating a meal.
C) 1 hour after eating.
D) first thing in the morning.

Question 13

While palpating the abdominal organs during a physical assessment of a client, which of the following organs will the nurse most likely not be able to assess? (Select all that apply.)

A) Liver
B) Gallbladder
C) Pancreas
D) Kidney
E) Spleen
F) Colon

Question 14

A client scheduled for a colonoscopy should be instructed regarding the need for:

A) serum blood specimens.
B) a bowel preparation.
C) pain medications prior to the test.
D) eating a full meal prior to the test.

Question 15

A client is scheduled for an abdominal paracentesis. Which of the following should the nurse instruct the client to do before the procedure?

A) Empty the bladder.
B) Drink a large glass of water.
C) Eat a full meal.
D) Sleep for several hours.

Question 16

A client is prescribed to receive a nasogastric (NG) tube feeding. The nurse realizes that:

A) placement does not need to be checked before the feeding.
B) an NG tube is for long-term uses.
C) the head of the bed must be 30 degrees or greater.
D) feeding the client is not a reason for an NG tube.

Question 17

A client asks the nurse what will happen to her digestion if she needs to have her appendix removed. The nurse should respond that the purpose of the appendix is:

A) to digest food products and another organ will take over this function.
B) to absorb nutrients and another organ will take over this function.
C) to secrete enzymes and another organ will take over this function.
D) nothing, so no other organ will need to take over this function.

Question 18

The nurse is assessing a client for acute appendicitis. Which of the following can be done to help diagnose this disorder? (Select all that apply.)

A) Assess for Blumberg's sign.
B) Assess bowel sounds.
C) Perform the iliopsoas muscle test.
D) Auscultate for bowel sounds in the right lower quadrant.
E) Perform the obturator muscle test.
F) Assess for referred pain to the right shoulder.