Question 1

The client receives sibutramine (Meridia). What will be a priority assessment by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Sibutramine can cause an increase in blood pressure, so monitoring blood pressure is a priority assessment for the nurse. Peripheral edema, urinary output, and daily weight are not specifically related to the use of sibutramine.

Question 2

The client is scheduled for a "bowel prep" prior to surgery. What is a critical assessment of the nurse prior to administering the "bowel prep"?

Accepted Answer

The client's creatinine level is a critical assessment prior to administering a "bowel prep" because it provides information about the client's kidney function. Many bowel prep solutions can affect kidney function or be contraindicated in clients with existing kidney issues, making this assessment crucial to prevent potential harm.

Question 3

The nurse is planning care for the client who experiences frequent constipation. What will the best plan of the nurse include? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A, D

Question 4

The nurse has completed medication education for the client who takes psyllium mucilloid (Metamucil). The nurse recognizes that additional teaching is indicated when the client makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

Psyllium mucilloid (Metamucil) is a bulk-forming laxative that works by absorbing water in the intestine and making bowel movements easier to pass. It is important to drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication to prevent gastrointestinal obstruction. Therefore, the nurse should provide additional education to the client regarding the importance of adequate fluid intake. The other statements made by the client indicate an understanding of the medication's action and effects.

Question 5

The nurse teaches a group of young mothers the ABCs as a treatment of diarrhea for young children. What is the best information to include?

Accepted Answer

The best information to include when treating diarrhea in young children is to give them a diet of apples, bananas, and carrots. These fruits provide important vitamins and minerals, and are also high in pectin, a natural fiber that can help to firm up loose stools. Bread is not recommended as it can further aggravate diarrhea, and cantaloupe and apricots are not as effective as apples and bananas in treating diarrhea.

Question 6

The physician has prescribed orlistat (Xenical) for the obese client. The nurse knows the client has been eating too much fatty food in her diet when she reports which adverse effect?

Accepted Answer

Orlistat works by blocking the absorption of fat in the small intestine. When a person consumes too much fatty food while taking orlistat, the excess fat is not absorbed and is instead excreted in the stool, leading to oily stools.

Question 7

The nursing instructor is teaching student nurses about lower gastrointestinal (GI) functioning and the large intestine. The nursing instructor evaluates learning has occurred when the students make which statement?

Accepted Answer

The statement that "the large intestine absorbs water and eliminates stool" is the correct statement about the function of the large intestine. The large intestine is responsible for the absorption of water, electrolytes, and vitamins produced by the resident bacteria in the colon. It also forms and eliminates feces through the rectum and anus. Option A is incorrect, as food can take up to 24 hours to travel through the large intestine. Option B is incorrect, as vitamin K is produced by gut flora, not vitamin E. Option C is incorrect, as the majority of nutrient absorption takes place in the small intestine, not the large intestine.

Question 8

The client receives prochlorperazine (Stemetil) for nausea and vomiting. The nurse notices that the client is exhibiting a stiff neck, turned to the side. What is the best action by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The client is likely experiencing an acute dystonic reaction, a side effect of prochlorperazine. Administering benztropine, an anticholinergic, can quickly alleviate these symptoms.

Question 9

The nurse designs a teaching plan for the client with chronic pancreatitis who receives pancrelipase (Pancrease). What will the best plan of the nurse include as it relates to the rationale for the client to receive this drug?

Accepted Answer

Pancrelipase is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy used to replace the enzymes that the pancreas cannot make in individuals with chronic pancreatitis. It helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food, which aids in digestion and absorption of nutrients. Options A and D are partially correct, but do not fully explain the rationale for the use of pancrelipase in chronic pancreatitis. Option B is incorrect, as there is no evidence that pancrelipase promotes healing of the pancreas.

Question 10

The client is scheduled for bowel surgery. What medications are appropriate for the "bowel prep"? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Bowel preparation before surgery typically involves using agents that cleanse the bowel. Bisacodyl (Ducolax) and sodium phosphate (Fleet Phospho-Soda) are both used to stimulate bowel movements and empty the bowel. A tap-water enema is also a common method to cleanse the bowel before surgical procedures. Docusate sodium (Colace) is a stool softener, which does not necessarily cleanse the bowel, and glycerin suppositories are typically used to treat occasional constipation, not for comprehensive bowel prep.

Question 11

Which client is most at risk to develop constipation?

Accepted Answer

The elderly client who uses mineral oil is the most at risk for constipation. Mineral oil, commonly used as a laxative, can lead to dependence and long-term bowel problems, especially in older adults. The other options do not necessarily have a higher risk for constipation.

Question 12

The client takes diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) for diarrhea. The client asks the nurse why he does not experience pain relief since this drug is an opioid. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The best response by the nurse is to explain that diphenoxylate with atropine is indeed an opioid, but it does not have analgesic properties. Therefore, it is used primarily for the treatment of diarrhea, not for pain relief.

Question 13

The client has been vomiting for several days. What will the best assessment of the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Vomiting leads to loss of stomach acid, which can result in an increase in pH in the body, leading to metabolic alkalosis.

Question 14

The client takes a stool softener on a regular basis and now reports a change in bowel patterns. Which assessment data would the nurse report to the physician?

Accepted Answer

Cramping with each stool passed may indicate that the stool softener is causing overly loose stools, which can result in abdominal cramping and discomfort. This may signal the need for a medication adjustment or alternative intervention. The other options may be expected changes with the use of a stool softener and may not require immediate physician notification.

Question 15

The elderly client has constipation. He asks the nurse the reason for this. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Constipation in elderly clients is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including a lack of dietary fiber. By explaining to the client that their stool is staying in their intestine too long due to insufficient fiber intake, the nurse can provide a helpful solution that does not cause the client unnecessary worry or concern.

Quiz 37: Drugs for Gastrointestinal Disorders

The client receives sibutramine (Meridia) . What will be a priority assessment by the nurse?