Question 1

A patient learns that a small bowel obstruction was caused by an appendectomy five years ago. The nurse realizes that this obstruction was most likely caused by what health problem?

Accepted Answer

Adhesions are a common complication after abdominal surgery, including appendectomy, and can cause a blockage in the small intestine by causing tissue to bind together. The other options are less likely to cause a bowel obstruction in this scenario.

Question 2

The nurse suspects that a patient with ulcerative colitis has taken a dose of diphenoxylate (Lomotil) to help with diarrhea. What did the nurse assess to make this clinical decision?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse suspects that a patient with...

Question 3

The nurse instructs a patient with irritable bowel syndrome about the newly prescribed medication sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Which patient statements indicate that no additional teaching about this medication is required?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse instructs a patient with irritable...

Question 4

A patient has been experiencing diarrhea for several days. What should the nurse assess to determine if adverse effects are occurring within this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient has been experiencing diarrhea for...

Question 5

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who is recovering from anal-rectal surgery for repair of an anal fissure. What should be included in these instructions?

Accepted Answer

C) Use the sitz bath: A sitz bath is recommended for patients undergoing anal-rectal surgery for repair of an anal fissure. It helps to promote healing and relieve pain and discomfort. The patient should be instructed on the proper technique for taking a sitz bath.
B) Change the dressing if it becomes soiled with urine or feces: The dressing should be changed if it becomes soiled with urine or feces to prevent infection and promote healing. The patient should be instructed on how to change the dressing and to report any signs of infection or increased drainage to the healthcare provider. The other options are incorrect as the dressing should be removed after a certain amount of time, antibiotics should only be used as prescribed, and avoiding bowel movements can lead to constipation, which can exacerbate the condition.

Question 6

A patient recovering from surgery for a small bowel obstruction is prescribed enteral feedings. Which actions should the nurse take to ensure the feedings are provided safely to the patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient recovering from surgery for a...

Question 7

An unlicensed assistive staff member says to the nurse, "I need for you to assess a patient. Something is coming out of his rectum." The nurse realizes that the assistant most likely observed which health problem?

Accepted Answer

Prolapsed hemorrhoids are a condition where the veins in the rectum become stretched and protrude from the anus. This can cause bleeding, pain, and a feeling of something coming out of the rectum. The other options listed would not cause this specific symptom.

Question 8

The nurse is providing medications to a patient with diverticular disease. Which medication should the nurse question for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) is a laxative that can potentially irritate the bowels and worsen diverticular disease symptoms. The other medications listed are commonly used to treat or prevent complications associated with diverticular disease.

Question 9

An older patient is diagnosed with severe acute diverticulitis. What treatment should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous fluids (B) and nothing by mouth (C) are standard treatments to rest the bowel and maintain hydration. Intravenous antibiotics like cefoxitin (E) are used to treat infection.

Question 10

The nurse determines that a patient taking metronidazole (Flagyl) for a protozoan infection has been drinking alcohol while taking the medication. What assessment findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse determines that a patient taking...

Question 11

The nurse has instructed the patient who is experiencing diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome on dietary changes to prevent diarrhea. The nurse knows the patient understands the dietary changes if the patient selects which menu choices?

Accepted Answer

The salad with chicken and whole wheat crackers provide fiber and protein, which can help regulate bowel movements and prevent diarrhea. Yogurt may also be a good choice if it contains probiotics to promote gut health, but sweet tea and crackers alone may not provide enough nutrients. The bacon, tomato, lettuce with mayonnaise and the tuna on white bread do not contain enough fiber and may worsen diarrhea, while the soft drink lacks nutritional value.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for an older patient recovering from a bleeding ulcer. Which manifestations should the nurse use to determine whether the patient is experiencing peritonitis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is caring for an older...

Question 13

A patient with chronic diarrhea has been advised by the healthcare provider to avoid foods containing sorbitol and mannitol. What should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid consuming for this health problem?

Accepted Answer

Sorbitol and mannitol are polyols, also known as sugar alcohols, commonly used as sweeteners in sugar-free gum, candy, and other products. They can also be found naturally in some fruits and vegetables. Foods high in sorbitol and mannitol may exacerbate chronic diarrhea, so the nurse should instruct the patient to avoid mints (which often contain sorbitol), pear juice, and apple juice (both of which are high in sorbitol and mannitol). Orange juice, while a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients, is not a significant source of these sugar alcohols and can be consumed in moderation. Honey, while a natural sweetener, does not contain sorbitol or mannitol and can also be consumed in moderation.

Question 14

The nurse teaches a patient with Crohn disease about surgery to create a continent ileostomy. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse teaches a patient with Crohn...

Question 15

Type: MCMA A patient with malabsorption syndrome is prescribed vitamin B₁₂ injections. Which manifestations of this health problem should the nurse expect to improve with this vitamin supplement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Type: MCMA A patient with malabsorption syndrome...

Question 16

A patient with Crohn disease is instructed to ingest a low-residue diet. Which dietary choices indicate that the patient needs additional information about this eating plan?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient with Crohn disease is instructed...

Question 17

A patient with peritonitis develops a temperature of 103° F (39.4° C), is restless, has blood pressure of 85/45 and has a urinary output of 76 mL in 8 hours. The nurse should develop a plan of care related to which health problem?

Accepted Answer

The patient's vital signs and urinary output suggest hypovolemia, which could progress to hypovolemic shock. This is a medical emergency and requires rapid intervention.

Question 18

After learning that a patient has abdominal pain that occurs at least 3 days per month over the last 3 months, the nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing irritable bowel syndrome. What findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

Accepted Answer

These findings align with the Rome IV criteria for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome, which include abdominal pain related to defecation, and associated with changes in stool form and bowel frequency.

Question 19

A patient receiving long-term antibiotic therapy for an infected joint replacement begins to experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise, fever, and anorexia. What interventions should the nurse prepare to administer to this patient?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms suggest Clostridioides difficile infection, a common complication of long-term antibiotic use. Metronidazole is a treatment option for C. difficile, and discontinuing the current antibiotic can help resolve the infection.

Question 20

The nurse is instructing a patient who is experiencing diarrhea associated with a microorganism not to use an antidiarrheal medication. The patient asks, "Why can't I take something to stop the diarrhea?" How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Antidiarrheal medications slow down the elimination of the microorganism causing the diarrhea, which can worsen the infection and prolong recovery time. It is important to allow the body to eliminate the microorganism naturally to prevent further complications.

Quiz 24: Nursing Care of Patients With Bowel Disorders

A patient learns that a small bowel obstruction was caused by an appendectomy five years ago. The nurse realizes that this obstruction was most likely caused by what health problem?

The nurse suspects that a patient with ulcerative colitis has taken a dose of diphenoxylate (Lomotil) to help with diarrhea. What did the nurse assess to make this clinical decision?

The nurse instructs a patient with irritable bowel syndrome about the newly prescribed medication sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) . Which patient statements indicate that no additional teaching about this medication is required?

A patient has been experiencing diarrhea for several days. What should the nurse assess to determine if adverse effects are occurring within this patient?

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who is recovering from anal-rectal surgery for repair of an anal fissure. What should be included in these instructions?

A patient recovering from surgery for a small bowel obstruction is prescribed enteral feedings. Which actions should the nurse take to ensure the feedings are provided safely to the patient?

An unlicensed assistive staff member says to the nurse, "I need for you to assess a patient. Something is coming out of his rectum." The nurse realizes that the assistant most likely observed which health problem?

The nurse is providing medications to a patient with diverticular disease. Which medication should the nurse question for this patient?

An older patient is diagnosed with severe acute diverticulitis. What treatment should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

The nurse determines that a patient taking metronidazole (Flagyl) for a protozoan infection has been drinking alcohol while taking the medication. What assessment findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

The nurse has instructed the patient who is experiencing diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome on dietary changes to prevent diarrhea. The nurse knows the patient understands the dietary changes if the patient selects which menu choices?

The nurse is caring for an older patient recovering from a bleeding ulcer. Which manifestations should the nurse use to determine whether the patient is experiencing peritonitis?

A patient with chronic diarrhea has been advised by the healthcare provider to avoid foods containing sorbitol and mannitol. What should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid consuming for this health problem?

The nurse teaches a patient with Crohn disease about surgery to create a continent ileostomy. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?

Type: MCMA A patient with malabsorption syndrome is prescribed vitamin B₁₂ injections. Which manifestations of this health problem should the nurse expect to improve with this vitamin supplement?

A patient with Crohn disease is instructed to ingest a low-residue diet. Which dietary choices indicate that the patient needs additional information about this eating plan?

A patient with peritonitis develops a temperature of 103° F (39.4° C) , is restless, has blood pressure of 85/45 and has a urinary output of 76 mL in 8 hours. The nurse should develop a plan of care related to which health problem?

After learning that a patient has abdominal pain that occurs at least 3 days per month over the last 3 months, the nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing irritable bowel syndrome. What findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

A patient receiving long-term antibiotic therapy for an infected joint replacement begins to experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise, fever, and anorexia. What interventions should the nurse prepare to administer to this patient?

The nurse is instructing a patient who is experiencing diarrhea associated with a microorganism not to use an antidiarrheal medication. The patient asks, "Why can't I take something to stop the diarrhea?" How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Quiz 24: Nursing Care of Patients With Bowel Disorders

A patient learns that a small bowel obstruction was caused by an appendectomy five years ago. The nurse realizes that this obstruction was most likely caused by what health problem?

The nurse suspects that a patient with ulcerative colitis has taken a dose of diphenoxylate (Lomotil) to help with diarrhea. What did the nurse assess to make this clinical decision?

The nurse instructs a patient with irritable bowel syndrome about the newly prescribed medication sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) . Which patient statements indicate that no additional teaching about this medication is required?

A patient has been experiencing diarrhea for several days. What should the nurse assess to determine if adverse effects are occurring within this patient?

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who is recovering from anal-rectal surgery for repair of an anal fissure. What should be included in these instructions?

A patient recovering from surgery for a small bowel obstruction is prescribed enteral feedings. Which actions should the nurse take to ensure the feedings are provided safely to the patient?

An unlicensed assistive staff member says to the nurse, "I need for you to assess a patient. Something is coming out of his rectum." The nurse realizes that the assistant most likely observed which health problem?

The nurse is providing medications to a patient with diverticular disease. Which medication should the nurse question for this patient?

An older patient is diagnosed with severe acute diverticulitis. What treatment should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?

The nurse determines that a patient taking metronidazole (Flagyl) for a protozoan infection has been drinking alcohol while taking the medication. What assessment findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

The nurse has instructed the patient who is experiencing diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome on dietary changes to prevent diarrhea. The nurse knows the patient understands the dietary changes if the patient selects which menu choices?

The nurse is caring for an older patient recovering from a bleeding ulcer. Which manifestations should the nurse use to determine whether the patient is experiencing peritonitis?

A patient with chronic diarrhea has been advised by the healthcare provider to avoid foods containing sorbitol and mannitol. What should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid consuming for this health problem?

The nurse teaches a patient with Crohn disease about surgery to create a continent ileostomy. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?

Type: MCMA A patient with malabsorption syndrome is prescribed vitamin B12 injections. Which manifestations of this health problem should the nurse expect to improve with this vitamin supplement?

A patient with Crohn disease is instructed to ingest a low-residue diet. Which dietary choices indicate that the patient needs additional information about this eating plan?

A patient with peritonitis develops a temperature of 103° F (39.4° C) , is restless, has blood pressure of 85/45 and has a urinary output of 76 mL in 8 hours. The nurse should develop a plan of care related to which health problem?

After learning that a patient has abdominal pain that occurs at least 3 days per month over the last 3 months, the nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing irritable bowel syndrome. What findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

A patient receiving long-term antibiotic therapy for an infected joint replacement begins to experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise, fever, and anorexia. What interventions should the nurse prepare to administer to this patient?

The nurse is instructing a patient who is experiencing diarrhea associated with a microorganism not to use an antidiarrheal medication. The patient asks, "Why can't I take something to stop the diarrhea?" How should the nurse respond to this patient?

Type: MCMA A patient with malabsorption syndrome is prescribed vitamin B₁₂ injections. Which manifestations of this health problem should the nurse expect to improve with this vitamin supplement?