Question 1

A nurse is caring for a patient who had bowel surgery 3 days ago and is now beginning to have a well-functioning ostomy. The ostomy drainage bag should be emptied whenever it is:
A) one fourth full.
B) one half full.
C) three fourths full.
D) full.

Accepted Answer

The ostomy bag should be changed when it is one third to one half full so that the weight of the bag will not detach it.

Question 2

A patient with a colostomy asks about foods that can be eaten that will reduce odor in the ostomy drainage bag. The most informative response by the nurse is to say that ostomy odor can be decreased with the intake of:
A) buttermilk.
B) eggs.
C) cucumbers.
D) beans.

Accepted Answer

Buttermilk is among the suggested foods that decrease ostomy bag odor.

Question 3

The nurse instructs a patient with a new colostomy against eating food that may cause an obstruction. These foods include: (Select all that apply.)
A) spicy foods.
B) whole kernel corn.
C) cucumbers.
D) tomatoes.
E) shrimp.

Accepted Answer

Whole kernel corn, tomatoes, and shrimp are among the food that can cause an obstruction in a colostomy.

Question 4

The nurse reminds the patient that digestion of food is a complex process with much of the food breaking down in intestines. The small intestine functions to:
A) reabsorb sodium and chlorides.
B) propel waste material toward the anus.
C) absorb food substances from the bloodstream.
D) return water from the waste material to the bloodstream.

Accepted Answer

The small intestine processes the chyme into a more liquid state and absorbs food substances into the bloodstream. All other listed functions are those of the large intestine.

Question 5

The gastrocolic reflex initiates ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The gastrocolic reflex initiates ________....

Question 6

The nurse instructs the patient who has had an ileostomy to modify the diet to include: (Select all that apply.)
A) increase the protein intake.
B) choose foods that are high in calories.
C) select foods that have a milk base.
D) eat raw vegetables and fruits.
E) include whole grain products in diet daily.

Accepted Answer

Patients with ileostomies have lost their lower bowel and need food sources that are high in calories and vitamins. Water intake should be up to 10 cups a day to make up for the water reabsorption usually done in the colon. High residue foods such as whole grain products and raw vegetables and fruits can irritate the intestine.

Question 7

The nurse assesses a pale, light gray stool and recognizes that the cause of this abnormal color is due to an obstruction in the _________ duct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse assesses a pale, light gray...

Question 8

The patient with the new colostomy is concerned about how to control diarrhea of the effluent. The nurse suggests that diarrhea can be controlled by the intake of:
A) cheese.
B) apple juice.
C) raw vegetables.
D) beams.

Accepted Answer

Cheese can control or decrease the incidence of diarrhea in a colostomy.

Question 9

The nurse caring for a patient who had a colostomy 2 days ago assesses slight bleeding around the stoma when the area is cleansed, colostomy bag filled with gas, pale stoma, and a reddened area under the adhesive of the appliance. The assessment that should be reported immediately is the assessment pertaining to the:
A) skin irritation.
B) bleeding around the stoma.
C) amount of gas in the bag.
D) pale stoma.

Accepted Answer

The pale stoma indicates a compromised blood supply and should be reported immediately to the primary care provider.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for an anxious patient who is scheduled for surgery for colostomy placement. While the nurse is talking to the patient, the patient states, "I am so scared." The nurse's most supportive response would be:
A) "Surgeries like yours are very safe."
B) "What about your colostomy scares you?"
C) "Why are you scared?"
D) "Sounds like someone has been telling you horror stories."

Accepted Answer

The nurse needs to address the patient's anxiety and fear first by use of open-ended questioning, because the patient might be focused on a variety of things, including poor body image or the prospect of death. Asking a "Why" question is not therapeutic and makes the patient defensive.

Question 11

The patient asks the nurse how an ileostomy differs from a colostomy. The most informative response by the nurse would be that:
A) an ileostomy is performed to remove stool from the colon, whereas a colostomy is the removal of lower portions of bowel, diverting intestinal contents.
B) an ileostomy has effluent that is more formed, whereas a colostomy has effluent that is liquid.
C) a colostomy is an opening into the colon, whereas an ileostomy is an opening at the ileum.
D) an ileostomy requires irrigating, whereas a colostomy requires catheterizing.

Accepted Answer

The colostomy is an opening into the colon, with formed effluent requiring irrigation, whereas the ileostomy is an opening in the ileum, with liquid effluent requiring catheterizing.

Question 12

The nurse points out that age-related changes in the intestinal tract are relatively insignificant. The changes include: (Select all that apply.) A) atrophy of the villi in the small intestine. B) increased incidence of hemorrhoids. C) decreased absorption of fats and vitamin B₁₂. D) creation of excessive flatus. E) decreased motility in the large intestine.

Accepted Answer

With age there is a decrease in the villi in the small intestine that decreases the absorption of fats and vitamin B₁₂. Motility frequently decreases in the large intestine.

Question 13

The nurse reminds a group of older adults that a colonoscopy is recommended every _______ year(s) after the age of 50.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse reminds a group of older...

Quiz 30: Promoting Bowel Elimination

A nurse is caring for a patient who had bowel surgery 3 days ago and is now beginning to have a well-functioning ostomy. The ostomy drainage bag should be emptied whenever it is:

A patient with a colostomy asks about foods that can be eaten that will reduce odor in the ostomy drainage bag. The most informative response by the nurse is to say that ostomy odor can be decreased with the intake of:

The nurse instructs a patient with a new colostomy against eating food that may cause an obstruction. These foods include: (Select all that apply.)

The nurse reminds the patient that digestion of food is a complex process with much of the food breaking down in intestines. The small intestine functions to:

The gastrocolic reflex initiates ________.

The nurse instructs the patient who has had an ileostomy to modify the diet to include: (Select all that apply.)

The nurse assesses a pale, light gray stool and recognizes that the cause of this abnormal color is due to an obstruction in the _________ duct.

The patient with the new colostomy is concerned about how to control diarrhea of the effluent. The nurse suggests that diarrhea can be controlled by the intake of:

The nurse is caring for an anxious patient who is scheduled for surgery for colostomy placement. While the nurse is talking to the patient, the patient states, "I am so scared." The nurse's most supportive response would be:

The patient asks the nurse how an ileostomy differs from a colostomy. The most informative response by the nurse would be that:

The nurse points out that age-related changes in the intestinal tract are relatively insignificant. The changes include: (Select all that apply.)

The nurse reminds a group of older adults that a colonoscopy is recommended every _______ year(s) after the age of 50.