PrepU Ch. 38 Assessment of Digestive and Gastrointestinal Function

The nurse is preparing to examine the abdomen of a client who reports a change in bowel pattern. The nurse would place the client in which position?

Supine with knees flexed

Which of the following digestive enzymes aids in the digesting of starch?

amylase

A patient is scheduled for a fiberoptic colonoscopy. What does the nurse know that fiberoptic colonoscopy is most frequently used to diagnose?

cancer

Which of the following is an enzyme secreted by the gastric mucosa?

pepsin

The instructor has just finished teaching a group of students about the various organs of the upper gastrointestinal tract and possible disorders. The instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which structure as possibly being affected?

stomach

A home care nurse is caring for a client with reports of epigastric discomfort who is scheduled for a barium swallow. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the test?

"I'll avoid eating or drinking anything 6 to 8 hours before the test."

When assisting with preparing a client scheduled for a barium swallow, which of the following would be appropriate to include?

Avoid smoking for at least 12 to 24 hours before the procedure.

A client reports a history of bleeding hemorrhoids to the nurse. Which observation supports the client's statement?

Blood streaks on stool

A nurse is preparing a client with Crohn's disease for a barium enema. What should the nurse do the day before the test?

Encourage plenty of fluids.

Gastrin has which of the following effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility?

Increased motility of the stomach

A client is scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal barium study. Which teaching will the nurse provide for the client to prepare for this diagnostic test?

Ingest nothing by mouth after midnight.

The nurse is preparing a client for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen. Which statement by the client would indicate the need to notify the physician?

"I really don't like to be in small, enclosed spaces."

The nurse is caring for a client recovering from an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which of the following client symptoms would require further nursing assessment?

Abdominal distention

Which of the following is the primary function of the small intestine?

Absorption

When examining the skin of a client who is dehydrated due to fluid losses from the gastrointestinal tract, which of the following would be most important?

Checking if the mucous membranes are dry

A client is scheduled for several diagnostic tests to evaluate gastrointestinal function. After teaching the client about these tests, the nurse determines that the client has understood the teaching when the client identifies which test as not requiring the use of a contrast medium?

Colonoscopy

A client is scheduled for a barium enema later in the day. Which actions will the nurse take to prepare the client on the morning of the test? Select all that apply.

Provide cleansing enemas until clear Maintain nothing by mouth until after the test

It is important for a nurse to have an understanding of the major digestive enzymes and their actions. Choose the gastric mucosa secretion that plays an important role in the digestion of triglycerides.

Steapsin

While preparing a client for an upper GI endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), the nurse should implement which interventions? Choose all that apply.

Tell the client he shouldn't eat or drink for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure. Inform the client that he will receive a sedative before the procedure.

What would the nurse recognize as preventing a client from being able to take a fecal occult blood test (FOBT)?

The client has hemorrhoidal bleeding

A client is scheduled to have an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Which structures are visualized during this procedure?

common bile duct, pancreatic duct, and biliary tree

Following ingestion of carrots or beets, the nurse would expect which alteration in stool color?

red

A nurse is teaching a client with malabsorption syndrome about the disorder and its treatment. The client asks which part of the GI tract absorbs food. What is the nurse's best response?

small intestine

A client is scheduled for an ultrasound of the abdomen. Which statement indicates that teaching provided to the client to prepare for the test was effective?

"I will not eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours before the test."

A client is to have an upper GI procedure with barium ingestion and abdominal ultrasonography. While scheduling these diagnostic tests, the nurse must consider which factor?

The ultrasonography should be scheduled before the GI procedure.

The nurse recognizes which change of the GI system is an age-related change?

weakened gag reflex

During a colonoscopy with moderate sedation, the patient groans with obvious discomfort and begins bleeding from the rectum. The patient is diaphoretic and has an increase in abdominal girth from distention. What complication of this procedure is the nurse aware may be occurring?

Bowel perforation

A client with abdominal pain is scheduled for a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast. Which assessment will the nurse complete before transporting the client for the diagnostic test?

History of allergies

A nurse is assessing a client who reports abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. When examining the client's abdomen, which sequence should the nurse use?

Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation

A client reports a new onset of diarrhea. For which additional symptoms will the nurse assess this client? Select all that apply.

Nausea Vomiting Cramping Abdominal pain

The nurse is instructing the client who was newly diagnosed with peptic ulcers. Which of the following diagnostic studies would the nurse anticipate reviewing with the client?

Serum antibodies for H. pylori

Specific disease processes and ingestion of certain foods and medications may change the appearance of the stool. If blood is shed in sufficient quantities into the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it produces which change in the stool appearance?

Tarry-black

Which of the following is the most definitive means of assessing for liver disease?

biopsy

The nurse is to obtain a stool specimen from a client who reported that he is taking iron supplements. The nurse would expect the stool to be which color?

black

A client is scheduled for several diagnostic tests to evaluate gastrointestinal function. After teaching the client about these tests, the nurse determines that the client has understood the teaching when the client identifies which test as not requiring the use of a contrast medium?

colonoscopy

Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder characterized by pulmonary and pancreatic dysfunction, usually appears in young children but can also affect adults. If the pancreas was functioning correctly, where would the bile and pancreatic enzymes enter the GI system?

duodenum

The major carbohydrate that tissue cells use as fuel is

glucose

The nurse is preparing to examine the abdomen of a client with reports of nausea and vomiting. What action would the nurse perform first?

inspection

What part of the GI tract begins the digestion of food?

mouth

The nurse is working with clients with digestive tract disorders. Which of the following organs does the nurse realize has effects as an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland?

pancreas

A client tells the nurse that the stool was colored yellow. The nurse assesses the client for

recent foods ingested.

A client asks the nurse why the physician ordered the blood test carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The nurse answers:

"It indicates if a cancer is present."

A nurse is giving a client barium swallow test. What is the most important assessment a nurse would make to ensure that a client does not retain any barium after a barium swallow?

Monitoring the stool passage and its color.