Chapter 42 - Assessment of Digestive and Gastrointestinal Function
The nurse is preparing the client for an assessment of the abdomen. What should the nurse complete prior to this assessment?
Ask the client to empty the bladder.
A client with a gastrointestinal condition asks why the mouth needs to be examined. Which response will the nurse make?
"Changes in the mouth can help explain why your condition is occurring."
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."
Which of the following is the primary function of the small intestine?
Absorption
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 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.
secreted by the pancreas
Trypsin
liver and gallbladder secrete
bile
The physical examination of the gastrointestinal system includes assessment of the
mouth, abdomen, and rectum.
When bowel sounds are heard about every 15 seconds, the nurse would record that the bowel sounds are
normal.
salivary glands secrete
ptyalin
A client tells the nurse that the stool was colored yellow. The nurse assesses the client for
recent foods ingested.
The nurse recognizes which change of the GI system is an age-related change?
weakened gag reflex
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 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.
The nurse is assisting the health care provider with a gastric acid stimulation test for a client. What medication should the nurse prepare to administer subcutaneously to stimulate gastric secretions?
Pentagastrin
enzyme secreted by the gastric mucosa
Pepsin
A client undergoing a diagnostic examination for gastrointestinal disorder was given polyethylene glycol/electrolyte solution as a part of the test preparation. Which of the following measures should the nurse take once the solution is administered?
Permit the client to drink only clear liquids.
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
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
The nurse recognizes which change of the gastrointestinal system is an age-related change?
weakened gag reflex
Gastrin has which of the following effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility?
Increased motility of the stomach
A client is diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. The health care provider begins the client on cyanocobalamin (Betalin-12), 100 mcg I.M. daily. Which substance influences vitamin B12 absorption?
Intrinsic factor
After 20 seconds of auscultating for bowel sounds on a client recovering from abdominal surgery, the nurse hears nothing. What should the nurse do based on the assessment findings?
Listen longer for the sounds.
