bariatric surgery nclex questions NUR 212
The nurse will be teaching self-management to patients after gastric bypass surgery. Which information will the nurse plan to include? a. Drink fluids between meals but not with meals. b. Choose high-fat foods for at least 30% of intake. c. Developing flabby skin can be prevented by exercise. d. Choose foods high in fiber to promote bowel function.
ANS: A Intake of fluids with meals tends to cause dumping syndrome and diarrhea. Food choices should be low in fat and fiber. Exercise does not prevent the development of flabby skin.
Which information will the nurse prioritize in planning preoperative teaching for a patient undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass? a. Educating the patient about the nasogastric (NG) tube b. Instructing the patient on coughing and breathing techniques c. Discussing necessary postoperative modifications in lifestyle d. Demonstrating passive range-of-motion exercises for the legs
ANS: B Coughing and deep breathing can prevent major postoperative complications such as carbon monoxide retention and hypoxemia. Information about passive range of motion, the NG tube, and postoperative modifications in lifestyle will also be discussed, but avoidance of respiratory complications is the priority goal after surgery.
After bariatric surgery, a patient who is being discharged tells the nurse, "I prefer to be independent. I am not interested in any support groups." Which response by the nurse is best? a. "I hope you change your mind so that I can suggest a group for you." b. "Tell me what types of resources you think you might use after this surgery." c. "Support groups have been found to lead to more successful weight loss after surgery." d. "Because there are many lifestyle changes after surgery, we recommend support groups."
ANS: B This statement allows the nurse to assess the individual patient's potential needs and preferences. The other statements offer the patient more information about the benefits of support groups, but fail to acknowledge the patient's preferences.
A few months after bariatric surgery, a 56-year-old man tells the nurse, "My skin is hanging in folds. I think I need cosmetic surgery." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. "The important thing is that you are improving your health." b. "The skinfolds will disappear once most of the weight is lost." c. "Cosmetic surgery is a possibility once your weight has stabilized." d. "Perhaps you would like to talk to a counselor about your body image."
ANS: C Reconstructive surgery may be used to eliminate excess skinfolds after at least a year has passed since the surgery. Skinfolds may not disappear over time, especially in older patients. The response, "The important thing is that your weight loss is improving your health," ignores the patient's concerns about appearance and implies that the nurse knows what is important. Whereas it may be helpful for the patient to talk to a counselor, it is more likely to be helpful to know that cosmetic surgery is available.
A 61-year-old man is being admitted for bariatric surgery. Which nursing action can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? a. Demonstrate use of the incentive spirometer. b. Plan methods for bathing and turning the patient. c. Assist with IV insertion by holding adipose tissue out of the way. d. Develop strategies to provide privacy and decrease embarrassment.
ANS: C UAP can assist with IV placement by assisting with patient positioning or holding skinfolds aside. Planning for care and patient teaching require registered nurse (RN)-level education and scope of practice.
The nurse is caring for a 54-year-old female patient on the first postoperative day after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. Which assessment finding should be reported immediately to the surgeon? a. Bilateral crackles audible at both lung bases b. Redness, irritation, and skin breakdown in skinfolds c. Emesis of bile-colored fluid past the nasogastric (NG) tube d. Use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) several times an hour for pain
ANS: C Vomiting with an NG tube in place indicates that the NG tube needs to be repositioned by the surgeon to avoid putting stress on the gastric sutures. The nurse should implement actions to decrease skin irritation and have the patient cough and deep breathe, but these do not indicate a need for rapid notification of the surgeon. Frequent PCA use after bariatric surgery is expected.
After vertical banded gastroplasty, a 42-year-old male patient returns to the surgical nursing unit with a nasogastric tube to low, intermittent suction and a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) machine for pain control. Which nursing action should be included in the postoperative plan of care? a. Offer sips of fruit juices at frequent intervals. b. Irrigate the nasogastric (NG) tube frequently. c. Remind the patient that PCA use may slow the return of bowel function. d. Support the surgical incision during patient coughing and turning in bed.
ANS: D The incision should be protected from strain to decrease the risk for wound dehiscence. The patient should be encouraged to use the PCA because pain control will improve the cough effort and patient mobility. NG irrigation may damage the suture line or overfill the stomach pouch. Sugar-free clear liquids are offered during the immediate postoperative time to decrease the risk for dumping syndrome.
What information should be included in the dietary teaching for the patient following a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass? a. Avoid sugary foods and limit fluids to prevent dumping syndrome. b. Gradually increase the amount of food ingested to preoperative levels. c. Maintain a long-term liquid diet to prevent damage to the surgical site. d. Consume foods high in complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber to add bulk to contents
Correct answer: a Rationale: Fluids and foods high in carbohydrates tend to promote diarrhea and symptoms of dumping syndrome in patients with gastric bypass surgery. The diet generally should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, fat, and roughage and consists of six small feedings a day because of the small stomach size. Liquid diets are likely to be used longer for the patient with a gastroplasty.
During the initial postoperative period following bariatric surgery, the nurse recognizes the importance of monitoring obese patients for respiratory insufficiency based on what knowledge? a. The body stores anesthetics in adipose tissue. b. Postoperative pain may cause a decreased respiratory rate. c. Intubation may be difficult because of extra chin skinfolds. d. The patient's head must remain flat for a minimum of 2 hours postprocedure.
Correct answer: a Rationale: The body stores anesthetics in adipose tissue, placing patients with excess adipose tissue at risk for re-sedation. As adipose cells release anesthetics back into the bloodstream, the patient may become sedated after surgery, increasing the risk of hypoventilation and resultant respiratory insufficiency. Difficult intubation does not cause respiratory insufficiency. Pain usually increases respiratory rate. The patient's head should be elevated after bariatric surgery to decrease abdominal pressure and facilitate respirations.
The nurse cares for a 34-year-old woman after bariatric surgery. The nurse determines that discharge teaching related to diet is successful if the patient makes which statement? a. "A high protein diet that is low in carbohydrates and fat will prevent diarrhea." b. "Food should be high in fiber to prevent constipation from the pain medication." c. "Three meals a day with no snacks between meals will provide optimal nutrition." d. "Fluid intake should be at least 2000 mL per day with meals to avoid dehydration."
Correct answer: a Rationale: The diet generally prescribed is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, fat, and roughage and consists of six small feedings daily. Fluids should not be ingested with the meal, and in some cases, fluids should be restricted to less than 1000 mL per day. Fluids and foods high in carbohydrate tend to promote diarrhea and symptoms of the dumping syndrome. Generally, calorically dense foods (foods high in fat) should be avoided to permit more nutritionally sound food to be consumed.
Priority Decision: The nurse admitting a patient for bariatric surgery obtains the following information from the patient. Which finding should be brought to the surgeon's attention before proceeding with further patient preparation? a. History of hypertension b. History of untreated depression c. History of multiple attempts at weight loss d. History of sleep apnea treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Correct answer: b Rationale: Patients with histories of untreated depression or psychosis are not good candidates for surgery. All other historical information includes medical complications of severe obesity that would help to qualify the patient for the surgery.
A 40-year-old severely obese female patient with type 2 diabetes wants to lose weight. After learning about the surgical procedures, she thinks a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive surgery would be best. Which procedure should the nurse teach her about? a. Lipectomy b. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass c. Adjustable gastric banding d. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Correct answer: b Rationale: The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a common combination of restrictive (limiting the size of the stomach) and malabsorptive (less food is absorbed) surgery. Lipectomy is used to remove unsightly flabby folds of adipose tissue. Adjustable gastric banding is the most common restrictive procedure. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that preserves stomach function.
A severely obese patient has undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. In planning postoperative care, the nurse anticipates that the patient a. may have severe diarrhea early in the postoperative period. b. will not be allowed to ambulate for 1 to 2 days postoperatively. c. will require nasogastric suction until the incision heals. d. may have only liquids orally, and in very limited amounts, during the postoperative period.
Correct answer: d Rationale: During the immediate postoperative period, water and sugar-free clear liquids are given (30 mL every 2 hours while the patient is awake).
The severely obese patient has elected to have the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedure. The nurse will know the patient understands the preoperative teaching when the patient makes which statement? a. "This surgery will preserve the function of my stomach." b. "This surgery will remove the fat cells from my abdomen." c. "This surgery can be modified whenever I need it to be changed." d. "This surgery decreases how much I can eat and how many calories I can absorb."
Correct answer: d Rationale: The RYGB decreases the size of the stomach to a gastric pouch and attaches it directly to the small intestine so food bypasses 90% of the stomach, the duodenum, and a small segment of the jejunum. The vertical sleeve gastrectomy removes 85% of the stomach, but preserves the function of the stomach. Lipectomy and liposuction remove fat tissue from the abdomen or other areas. Adjustable gastric banding can be modified or reversed at a later date.
What is a postoperative nursing intervention for the obese patient who has undergone bariatric surgery? a. Irrigating and repositioning the nasogastric (NG) tube as needed b. Delaying ambulation until the patient has enough strength to support self c. Keeping the patient positioned on the side to facilitate respiratory function d. Providing adequate support to the incision during coughing, deep breathing, and turning
Correct answer: d Rationale: Turning, coughing, and deep breathing are essential to prevent postoperative complications. Protecting the incision from strain is important since wound dehiscence is a problem for obese patients. If a nasogastric (NG) tube that is present following gastric surgery for severe obesity becomes blocked or needs repositioning, the health care provider should be notified. Ambulation is usually started on the evening of surgery and addition help will be needed to support the patient. Respiratory function is promoted by keeping the head of the bed elevated at an angle of 35 to 40 degrees.
This bariatric surgical procedure involves creating a stoma and gastric pouch that is reversible, and no malabsorption occurs. What surgical procedure is this? a. Vertical gastric banding b. Biliopancreatic diversion c. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass d. Adjustable gastric banding
Correct answer: d Rationale: With adjustable gastric banding (AGB), the stomach size is limited by an inflatable band placed around the fundus of the stomach. The band is connected to a subcutaneous port and can be inflated or deflated to change the stoma size to meet the patient's needs as weight is lost. The procedure is performed laparoscopically and, if necessary, can be modified or reversed after the initial procedure.
