Chapter 39: PrepU - Management of patients with oral and esophageal diorders

The nurse is caring for a client receiving enteral nutrition with a standard polymeric formula. For which reason will the nurse question using this formula for the client?

Diagnosed with malabsorption syndrome Explanation: Various tube feeding formulas are available commercially. Polymeric formulas are the most common and are composed of protein (10% to 15%), carbohydrates (50% to 60%), and fats (30% to 35%). Standard polymeric formulas are undigested and require that the client has relatively normal digestive function and absorptive capacity. This type of formula should be questioned because the client is diagnosed with malabsorption syndrome. There is no reason to question the client for a history of diverticulitis, treatment for internal hemorrhoids, or removal of polyps.

The nurse is obtaining a history on a patient who comes to the clinic. What symptom described by the patient is one of the first symptoms associated with esophageal disease?

Dysphagia Explanation: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), the most common symptom of esophageal disease, may vary from an uncomfortable feeling that a bolus of food is caught in the upper esophagus to acute odynophagia (pain on swallowing).

The nurse is teaching a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) about how to reduce reflux. What should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.

Encourage the client to eat frequent, small, well-balanced meals. Inform the client to remain upright for at least 2 hours after meals. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol or tobacco products. Instruct the client to eat slowly and chew the food thoroughly. Explanation: The nurse should encourage the client to eat frequent, small, well-balanced meals, inform the client to remain upright for at least 2 hours after meals, instruct the client to avoid alcohol or tobacco products, and instruct the client to eat slowly and chew the food thoroughly when teaching the client how to reduce reflux. The nurse should discourage the client from eating before bedtime.

The nurse assesses a patient who recently had a nasoenteric intubation. Symptoms of oliguria, lethargy, and tachycardia in the patient would indicate to the nurse what common complication?

Fluid volume deficit Explanation: Symptoms of fluid volume deficit include dry skin and mucous membranes, decreased urinary output, lethargy, lightheadedness, hypotension, and increased heart rate.

A client has a new order for metoclopramide. The nurse identifies that this medication can be safely administered for which condition?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease Explanation: Metoclopramide is a prokinetic agent that accelerates gastric emptying. It is contraindicated with hemorrhage or perforation. It is not used to treat gastritis.

A patient is receiving parenteral nutrition. The current solution is nearing completion, and a new solution is to be hung, but it has not arrived from the pharmacy. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Hang a solution of dextrose 10% and water until the new solution is available. Explanation: The infusion rate of the solution should not be increased or decreased; if the solution is to run out, a solution of 10% dextrose and water is used until the next solution is available. Having someone go to the pharmacy would be appropriate, but there is no way to determine if the person will arrive back before the solution runs out. Starting another infusion would be inappropriate. Additionally, the infusion needs to be maintained through the central venous access device to maintain patency.

A client is receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) through a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and will be discharged home with PN. The home health nurse evaluates the home setting and would make a recommendation when noticing which circumstance?

No land line; cell phone available and taken by family member during working hours Explanation: A telephone is necessary for the client receiving PN for emergency purposes. Water, refrigeration, and electricity are available, even if the circumstances are not optimal.

Cardiac complications, which may occur following resection of an esophageal tumor, are associated with irritation of which nerve at the time of surgery?

Vagus Explanation: Cardiac complications include atrial fibrillation, which occurs due to irritation of the vagus nerve at the time of surgery. The hypoglossal nerve controls muscles of the tongue. The vestibulocochlear nerve functions in hearing and balance. The trigeminal nerve functions in chewing of food.

Which term is used to describe stone formation in a salivary gland, usually the submandibular gland?

Sialolithiasis Explanation: Salivary stones are formed mainly from calcium phosphate. Parotitis refers to inflammation of the parotid gland. Sialadenitis refers to inflammation of the salivary glands. Stomatitis refers to inflammation of the oral mucosa.

The client has the intake and output shown in the accompanying chart for an 8-hour shift. What is the positive fluid balance?

260 Explanation: Intake includes all the components listed in the intake column, which amounts to 710 mL. The output, which is the urine of 450 mL, is subtracted from the total intake. This leaves 260 mL as a positive fluid balance.

A client is recovering from a neck dissection. What volume of serosanguineous secretions would the nurse expect to drain over the first 24 hours?

80 to 120 mL Explanation: Between 80 and 120 mL of serosanguineous secretions may drain over the first 24 hours.

When assessing a client during a routine checkup, the nurse reviews the history and notes that the client had aphthous stomatitis at the time of the last visit. How is aphthous stomatitis best described by the nurse?

A canker sore of the oral soft tissues Explanation: Aphthous stomatitis refers to a canker sore of the oral soft tissues, including the lips, tongue, and inside of the cheeks. Aphthous stomatitis isn't an acute stomach infection, acid indigestion, or early sign of peptic ulcer disease.

A nurse is caring for a patient with a Salem sump gastric tube attached to low intermittent suction for decompression. The patient asks, "What's this blue part of the tube for?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"It is a vent that prevents backflow of the secretions." Explanation: The blue part of the Salem sump tube vents the larger suction-drainage tube to the atmosphere and, when kept above the patient's waist, prevents reflux of gastric contents through it. Otherwise it acts as a siphon. A gauge on the suction device regulates the pressure of the device. The tube has markings on it to aid in measurement.

Which tube is a nasoenteric feeding tube?

Dobbhoff Explanation: The Dobbhoff tube is a nasoenteric feeding tube. Nasogastric tubes include Levin, a gastric sump, and Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes.

A patient is receiving nasogastric tube feedings. The intake and output record for the past 24 hours reveals an intake of 3100 mL and an output of 2400 mL. The nurse identifies which nursing diagnosis as most likely?

Excess fluid volume Explanation: The patient's intake and output record reflects a greater intake than output, suggesting excess fluid volume. No information suggests that the patient's nutritional balance is at risk, even with nasogastric tube feedings. Deficient fluid volume would be appropriate if the patient's output exceeded input. No information indicates that the patient is experiencing difficulty with urination.

A client has a new order for metoclopramide. What potential side effects should the nurse educate the client about?

Extrapyramidal Explanation: Metoclopramide (Reglan) is a prokinetic agent that accelerates gastric emptying. Because metoclopramide can have extrapyramidal side effects that are increased in certain neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, it should be used only if no other option exists, and the client should be monitored closely. It is contraindicated with hemorrhage or perforation. It is not used to treat gastritis.

When preparing to insert a nasogastric tube, the nurse determines the length of the tube to be inserted. The nurse places the distal tip of the tube at which location?

Tip of patient's nose Explanation: To measure the length of the nasogastric tube, the nurse first places the distal tip of the tubing at the tip of the patient's nose, extends the tube to the tragus of the ear, and then extends the tube straight down to the tip of the xiphoid process.