A patient reports having abdominal distention and having vomited several times yesterday and today. What question is appropriate for the nurse to ask in response to this information?
A) "Has there been a change in your usual pattern of urination?"
B) "Did you have heartburn before the vomiting?"
C) "What did the vomitus look like?"
D) "Have you noticed a change in the color of your urine or stools?"

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

"What did the vomitus look like?" is an appropriate question because the characteristics of the vomitus may help determine its cause. Acute gastritis leads to vomiting of stomach contents, obstruction of the bile duct results in greenish-yellow vomitus, and an intestinal obstruction may cause a fecal odor to the vomitus. "Has there been a change in your usual pattern of urination?" is not a question related to abdominal distention and vomiting. Have you noticed a change in the color of your urine or stools?" is not a question related to abdominal distention and vomiting. It is related to elevated bilirubin from liver or gallbladder disease and is accompanied by jaundice. Option D is not a question related to the abdominal distention and vomiting. Heartburn applies more to gastric disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or hiatal hernia.

A Patient Reports Having Abdominal Distention and Having Vomited Several