NCLEX Questions: Appendicitis

Appendicitis in a pregnant woman is a complex problem. Which statement is true based on the given​ premise? A. Appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation in pregnant women. B. Appendicitis does not occur in pregnant women. C. Appendicitis will cause fetal death. D. A pregnant woman will have surgery postpartum.

Answer: A ​Rationale: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical presentation in pregnant women. It can be successfully managed by the surgical and obstetrical teams. A recent study has found that appendicitis during pregnancy can be managed successfully without any dangerous fetal outcomes.

The nurse is caring for a client admitted for a ruptured appendix. Which information should the nurse expect to provide to this​ client? (Select all that​ apply.) A. A laparotomy will be performed. B. Intravenous fluids will be provided. C. Antibiotic medication will be provided before and after the surgery. D. Pain medication will be provided after the surgery. E. A laparoscopic appendectomy will be performed.

Answer: A, B, C, D ​Rationale: For a ruptured​ appendix, a laparotomy will be performed. The client will receive antibiotics before and after the surgery to prevent the development of infection from fecal​ contents, which have spilled into the abdominal cavity. Intravenous fluids will be provided to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Pain medication will be provided after the surgery. A laparoscopic appendectomy is performed for clients whose appendix has not ruptured.

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is recovering from an uncomplicated appendectomy. Which information should the nurse​ include? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Caring for the wound B. Recognizing manifestations of infection C. Increasing physical activity D. Notifying the healthcare provider with changes E. Avoiding nonsteroidal​ anti-inflammatory drugs​ (NSAID)

Answer: A, B, C, D ​Rationale: The client with uncomplicated appendectomy is often discharged home the day of the surgery or the day after. Postoperative teaching includes wound​ care, including hand hygiene and dressing changes as​ indicated; to report to the healthcare provider​ fever, increased abdominal​ pain, swelling,​ redness, drainage,​ bleeding, or warmth of the operative​ site; activity limitations​ (e.g., lifting); and return to work if appropriate. The client can take NSAIDs for pain.

A teenage girl is being assessed for the possibility of appendicitis. Which other condition should the nurse​ consider? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Pelvic inflammatory disease B. Ovulation C. Menstruation D. Urinary tract infection E. Ruptured ectopic pregnancy

Answer: A, B, E ​Rationale: In adolescent and young​ women, symptoms must be differentiated from those associated with​ ovulation, ruptured ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease. Although a urinary tract infection may cause abdominal​ pain, it typically does not present in the same way as appendicitis. Menstruation does not have the same symptoms as appendicitis.

For which collaborative therapy for peritonitis following a ruptured appendix should the nurse prepare the​ client? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Antibiotics B. A​ low-fat, high-calorie diet C. Passive range of motion D. Fluid resuscitation E. Surgery

Answer: A, D, E Rationale: Clinical therapies for the treatment of peritonitis include removal of the ruptured​ appendix, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation. A​ low-fat, high-calorie diet and passive range of motion are not therapies used to treat peritonitis after a ruptured appendix.

A client presents with suspected appendicitis. The nurse should prepare the client for which collaborative​ intervention? A. Chest​ x-ray B. Abdominal ultrasound C. Electrolytes D. Complete blood count​ (CBC)

Answer: B Rationale: Abdominal ultrasound is the most effective test for diagnosing acute appendicitis. Electrolyte testing provides information relating to the mineral balance in the body. A CBC would be​ drawn, but it is not a definitive test to diagnose acute appendicitis. Chest​ x-rays are not used to diagnose abdominal conditions.

Which statement by a client diagnosed with acute appendicitis leads the nurse to believe the client needs teaching about dietary​ interventions? A. ​"I eat raw vegetables for a snack several days per​ week." B. ​"I don't like fruits and​ vegetables." C. ​"I prefer to have meat with each​ meal." D. "I eat fruit with breakfast every​ day."

Answer: B Rationale: Certain dietary habits may reduce the risk of developing acute appendicitis. Eating foods that contain high fiber​ content, such as fresh fruits and​ vegetables, decreases the incidence of appendicitis.

For which intervention are African American children with appendicitis less likely to receive in the emergency​ department? A. IV fluids B. Adequate pain medication C. Postoperative teaching D. Surgical intervention

Answer: B ​Rationale: African American children are less likely to receive adequate medication in emergency departments for pain during episodes of appendicitis. Nurses should advocate for appropriate pain management for all clients.

Appendicitis almost always results from an obstruction in the appendiceal lumen. Which problem should the nurse identify as the cause of this​ obstruction? A. Monolith B. Fecalith C. Tonsillolith D. Ptyalith

Answer: B ​Rationale: The obstruction is often caused by a hard mass of feces​ (fecalith). Ptyalith is a calculus in the salivary gland. Tonsillolith is a calculus in the tonsil. A monolith is a large stone used in sculpture.

The nurse is evaluating a client recovering at home after an emergency appendectomy. Which observation indicates that​ self-care has been​ effective? (Select all that​ apply.) A. The client snacks on pretzels and club soda during the visit. B. The client plans to recover at home until cleared by the surgeon. C. The client uses a pillow to splint the incision before coughing. D. The client performs abdominal wound care appropriately. E. The client requests a prescription for more pain medication.

Answer: B, C, D ​Rationale: Observations that indicate that the client is appropriately providing​ self-care after an appendectomy include using a pillow to splint the incision before​ coughing, performing wound care​ appropriately, and planning to recover at home until cleared by the surgeon. Observations that indicate that​ self-care could improve include the need for more pain medication and ingesting a​ less-than-nutritious snack.

Which assessment finding leads the nurse to suspect that an older client may have​ appendicitis? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Pain migrating from the lower left to the upper right quadrant B. Tenderness when pressing McBurney point C. Confusion D. No abdominal pain E. Internal rotation of the left hip increases pain

Answer: B, C, E Rationale: Fewer than​ 30% of older adults who have appendicitis present with classic symptoms. Classic signs of acute appendicitis are pain that is aggravated by moving or​ walking, rebound tenderness of McBurney​ point, and extension or internal rotation of the right hip that increases pain and confusion. A little less than half demonstrate no rebound or involuntary guarding. Pain typically migrates down to the lower right quadrant in appendicitis.

A client is admitted with acute appendicitis. Which nursing diagnosis may be appropriate for this​ client? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Nutrition, Imbalanced: Less than Body Requirements B. Fluid​ Volume: Deficit, Risk for C. Tissue​ Perfusion: Peripheral, Ineffective D. ​Infection, Risk for E. ​Pain, Acute

Answer: B, D, E Rationale: A client with acute appendicitis would experience pain at the site. Any patient who has undergone surgery is at risk for fluid depletion and infection of the wound. Nutritional status and change in peripheral perfusion are not nursing problems appropriate for the client with appendicitis.​

A client telephones the health clinic with complaints of generalized abdominal pain which is aggravated by moving or walking. The client has not been able to eat for a day and is nauseated. Which advice should the nurse provide to this​ client? A. "Take a warm shower and apply a heating pad to the​ abdomen." B. "Rest in bed and drink warm​ fluids." C. "Seek immediate medical​ attention." D. "Take an​ over-the-counter laxative."

Answer: C Rationale: The initial characteristic manifestation of acute appendicitis is​ continuous, mild, generalized or upper abdominal pain. Over the next 4​ hours, the pain intensifies and localizes in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. Pain associated with appendicitis is aggravated by​ moving, walking, or coughing. If medical attention is not​ provided, gangrene can develop within 24dash36 hours. The client should be instructed to seek immediate medical attention. Resting in bed and drinking warm fluids is not going to prevent the appendix from developing gangrene. When appendicitis is​ suspected, the client should be instructed to avoid laxatives and not to apply heat to the abdomen because heat could encourage the appendix to rupture.

Which clinical manifestation does the nurse expect with acute​ appendicitis? A. High fever B. Nausea and vomiting C. Rebound tenderness D. Pain relieved with ambulation

Answer: C ​Rationale: One manifestation of acute appendicitis is localized and rebound tenderness of McBurney point upon palpation. A high fever is a manifestation of a perforated appendix. Nausea and vomiting are generalized symptoms and are not present exclusively with appendicitis. Ambulation increases pain in appendicitis.

A teenage boy presents with suspected appendicitis. The caregiver​ asks, "Why did my son get​ this?" Which response by the nurse is the most​ appropriate? A. "Your son has been eating too much​ fiber." B. "Your son is eating too many fruits and​ vegetables." C. "Your son has not been getting enough​ exercise." D. "Your adolescent son is in a risk​ group."

Answer: D ​Rationale: Adolescent boys are at greatest risk for appendicitis. Appendicitis cannot be​ prevented, but certain dietary habits may reduce the risk of developing this condition. Eating foods that contain high fiber​ content, such as fresh fruits and​ vegetables, decreases the incidence of appendicitis.

A client had a laparoscopic appendectomy last night. Which assessment finding should concern the​ nurse? A. Dry wound B. Adequate fluid intake C. Pain D. Fever

Answer: D ​Rationale: Fever would be an indication of a possible infection. Postoperative pain is expected. Adequate fluid intake and a dry wound are positive recovery signs.

A client with acute appendicitis asks the​ nurse, "Why​ don't you give me a heating​ pad? I think that will help me with my​ pain." The​ nurse's response should be based on which​ reason? A. It increases the need for fluids. B. It increases the spread of infection. C. It reduces white blood cell count. D. It encourages perforation.

Answer: D ​Rationale: Heat should not be applied to the abdomen since this increases circulation to the appendix and could cause perforation. It is not true that heat is avoided in acute appendicitis because it increases the need for​ fluids, increases the spread of​ infection, or reduces white blood cell count.

Which condition prompts the nurse to recommend a clear liquid diet to a postappendectomy​ client? A. Client denies any nausea B. Client no longer reports pain C. Client is afebrile D. ​Client's bowel sounds have returned

Answer: D ​Rationale: Once bowel sounds​ return, a client can begin taking clear fluids. The postoperative client is expected to be afebrile. Pain will subside as healing continues. Nausea would be subsided for the client to resume a PO​ diet, but it is the presence of bowel sounds that would indicate the gastrointestinal​ tract's ability to handle digestion.

Which condition may occur if the client does not seek medication attention for acute appendicitis within 24dash36 ​hours? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Seizure B. Constipation C. Nausea D. Peritonitis E. Perforation

Answer: D, E ​Rationale: If treatment is not​ initiated, tissue necrosis and gangrene result within 24-36 ​hours, leading to perforation​ (rupture). Perforation allows the contents of the gastrointestinal​ (GI) tract to flow into the peritoneal space of the​ abdomen, resulting in peritonitis. Appendicitis does not cause​ seizures, nausea, or constipation.

The nurse is preparing to conduct a physical examination on a client diagnosed with appendicitis. Which intervention should the nurse include in this​ assessment? (Select all that​ apply.) A. Characteristics of bowel sounds B. Presence of abdominal pain on palpation C. Presence of blood in the stool D. Contour of the abdomen E. Current body temperature

Answers: A, B, D, E ​Rationale: When conducting the physical assessment on a client with​ appendicitis, the nurse should include abdominal​ contour, current body​ temperature, characteristics of bowel​ sounds, and whether the client is experiencing tenderness to light palpation. Blood in the stool is not an area to assess in the client with appendicitis.