Iggy Chapter 56: Care of Patients with Noninflammatory Intestinal Disorders
A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a hemorrhoidectomy that was done the day before. The nurse notes that the client has lower abdominal distention accompanied by dullness to percussion over the distended area. Which action should the nurse take? A. Assess the client's heart rate and blood pressure B. Determine when the client last voided C. Ask if the client is experiencing flatus D. Auscultate all quadrants of the client's abdomen
Answer: B
A nurse cares for a client who is recovering from a hemorrhoidectomy. The client states, "I need to have a bowel movement." Which action should the nurse take? A. Obtain a bedside commode for the client to use B. Stay with the client while providing privacy C. Make sure the call light is in reach to signal completion D. Gather supplies to collect a stool sample for the laboratory
Answer: B
A nurse prepares to administer 12 mg/kg of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy intravenously to a client who has colon cancer. The client weights 132 lb. How many milligrams should the nurse administer? (Record your answer using a whole number.) _____ mg
Answer: 720 mg
A nurse cares for a client who had a colostomy placed in the ascending colon 2 weeks ago. The client states, "The stool in my pouch is still liquid." How should the nurse respond? A. "The stool will always be liquid with this type of colostomy." B. "Eating additional fiber will bulk up your stool and decrease diarrhea." C. "Your stool will become firmer over the next couple of weeks." D. "This is abnormal. I will contact your health care provider."
Answer: A
A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy intravenously for the treatment of colon cancer. Which assessment finding should alert the nurse to contact the health care provider? A. White blood cell count of 1500/mm3 B. Fatigue C. Nausea and diarrhea D. Mucositis and oral ulcers
Answer: A
A nurse assessing a client with colorectal cancer auscultates high-pitched bowel sounds and notes the presence of visible peristaltic waves. Which action should the nurse take? A. Ask if the client is experiencing pain in the right shoulder B. Perform a rectal examination and assess for polyps C. Contact the provider and recommend computed tomography D. Administer a laxative to increase bowel movements activity
Answer: C
A nurse cares for a client with colon cancer who has a new colostomy. The client states, "I think it would be helpful to talk with someone who has had a similar experience." How should the nurse respond? A. "I have a good friend with a colostomy who would be willing to talk with you." B. The enterostomal therapist will be able to answer all of your questions." C. "I will make a referral to the United Ostomy Associations of America." D. "You'll find that most people with colostomies don't want to talk about them."
Answer: C
A nurse teaches a client who is at risk for colon cancer. Which dietary recommendation should the nurse teach this client? A. "Eat low-fiber and low-residual foods." B. "White rice and bread are easier to digest." C. "Add vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower to your new diet." D. "Foods high in animal fat help to protect the intestinal mucosa."
Answer: C
A nurse assesses a client with a mechanical bowel obstruction who reports intermittent abdominal pain. An hour later the client reports constant abdominal pain. Which action should the nurse take next? A. Administer intravenous opioid medications B. Position the client with knees to chest C. Insert a nasogastric tube for decompression D. Assess the client's bowel sounds
Answer: D
A nurse cares for a client newly diagnosed with colon cancer who has become withdrawn from family members. Which action should the nurse take? A. Contact the provider and recommend a psychiatric consult for the client B. Encourage the client to verbalize feelings about the diagnosis C. Provide education about new treatment options with successful outcomes D. Ask family and friends to visit the client and provide emotional support
Answer: B
A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed alosetron (Lotronex). Which assessment question should the nurse ask this client? A. "Have you been experiencing any constipation?" B. "Are you eating a diet high in fiber and fluids?" C. "Do you have a history of high blood pressure?" D. "What vitamins and supplements are you taking?"
Answer: A
A nurse cares for a client who has a new colostomy. Which action should the nurse take? A. Empty the pouch frequently to remove excess gas collection B. Change the ostomy pouch and wafer every morning C. Allow the pouch to completely fill with stool prior to empty D. Use surgical tape to secure the pouch and prevent leakage
Answer: A
A nurse plans care for a client who has chronic diarrhea. Which actions should the nurse include in this client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.) a. Using premoistened disposable wipes for perineal care b. Turning the client from right to left every 2 hours c. Using an antibacterial soap to clean after each stool d. Applying a barrier cream to the skin after cleaning e. Keeping broken skin areas open to air to promote healing
Answer: A, B, D
An emergency room nurse assesses a client after a motor vehicle crash and notes ecchymotic areas across the client's lower abdomen. Which action should the nurse take first? A. Measure the client's abdominal girth B. Assess for abdominal guarding or rigidity C. Check the client's hemoglobin and hematocrit D. Obtain the client's complete health history
Answer: B
A nurse assesses a client with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Which questions should the nurse include in this client's assessment? (Select all that apply.) a. "Which food types cause an exacerbation of symptoms?" b. "Where is your pain and what does it feel like?" c. "Have you lost a significant amount of weight lately?" d. "Are your stools soft, watery, and black in color?" e. "Do you experience nausea associated with defecation?"
Answer: A, B, E
A nurse cares for a client who has been diagnosed with a small bowel obstruction. Which assessment findings should the nurse correlate with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.) a. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L b. Loss of 15 pounds without dieting c. Abdominal pain in upper quadrants d. Low-pitched bowel sounds e. Serum sodium of 121 mEq/L
Answer: A, C, E
A nurse assesses clients at a community health center. Which client is at highest risk for the development of colorectal cancer? A. a 37-year-old who drinks eight cups of coffee daily B. a 44-year-old with irritable bowel syndrome C. a 60-year-old lawyer who works 65 hours per week D. a 72-year-old who eats fast food frequently
Answer: D
A nurse teaches a client who is recovering from a colon resection. Which statement should the nurse include in this client's plan of care? A. "You may experience nausea and vomiting for the first few weeks." B. Carbonated beverages can help decrease acid reflux from anatomosis sites." C. "Take a stool softener to promote softer stools for ease of defecation." D. "You may return to your normal workout schedule, including weight lifting."
Answer: C
A nurse cares for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Assess for proper placement of the tube every 4 hours. b. Flush the tube with water every hour to ensure patency. c. Secure the NG tube to the client's upper lip. d. Disconnect suction when auscultating bowel peristalsis. e. Monitor the client's skin around the tube site for irritation.
Answer: A, D, E
A nurse cares for a middle-aged male client who has irritable bowel syndrome. The client states, "I have changed my diet and take bulk-forming laxatives, but my symptoms have not gotten better. I heard about a drug called Amitiza. Do you think it might help?" How should the nurse respond? A. "This drug is still in the research phase and is not available for public use yet." B. "Unfortunately, lubiprostone is approved only for use in women." C. "Lubiprostone works well. I will recommend this prescription to your provider." D. "This drug should not be used with bulk-forming laxatives."
Answer: B
A nurse inserts a nasogastric (NG) tube for an adult client who has a bowel obstruction. Which actions does the nurse perform correctly? (Select all that apply.) a. Performs hand hygiene and positions the client in high-Fowler's position, with pillows behind the head and shoulders b. Instructs the client to extend the neck against the pillow once the NG tube has reached the oropharynx c. Checks for correct placement by checking the pH of the fluid aspirated from the tube d. Secures the NG tube by taping it to the client's nose and pinning the end to the pillowcase e. Connects the NG tube to intermittent medium suction with an anti-reflux valve on the air vent
Answer: A, C, E
A nurse cares for a client who states, "My husband is repulsed by my colostomy and refuses to be intimate with me." How should the nurse respond? A. "Let's talk to the ostomy nurse to help you and your husband work through this." B. "You could try to wear longer lingerie that will better hide the ostomy appliance." C. "You should empty the pouch first so it will be less noticeable for your husband." D. "If you are not careful, you can hurt the stoma if your engage in sexual activity."
Answer: A
A nurse plans care for a client who is recovering from an inguinal hernia repair. Which interventions should the nurse include in this client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.) a. Encouraging ambulation three times a day b. Encouraging normal urination c. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing d. Providing ice bags and scrotal support e. Forcibly reducing the hernia
Answer: A, B, D
A nurse prepares a client for a colonoscopy scheduled for tomorrow. The client states, "My doctor told me that the fecal occult blood test was negative for colon cancer. I don't think I need the colonoscopy and would like to cancel it." How should the nurse respond? A. "Your doctor should not have given you that information prior to the colonoscopy" B. "The colonoscopy is required due to the high percentage of false negatives with the blood test." C. "A negative fecal occult blood test does not rule out the possibility of colon cancer." D. "I will contact your doctor so that you can discuss your concerns about the procedure."
Answer: C
A nurse assesses a male client with an abdominal hernia. Which abdominal hernias are correctly paired with their physiologic processes? (Select all that apply.) a. Indirect inguinal hernia - An enlarged plug of fat eventually pulls the peritoneum and often the bladder into a sac b. Femoral hernia - A peritoneum sac pushes downward and may descend into the scrotum c. Direct inguinal hernia - A peritoneum sac passes through a weak point in the abdominal wall d. Ventral hernia - Results from inadequate healing of an incision e. Incarcerated hernia - Contents of the hernia sac cannot be reduced back into the abdominal cavity
Answer: C, D, E
A nurse cares for a client who has a family history of colon cancer. The client states, "My father and my brother had colon cancer. What is the chance that I will get cancer?" How should the nurse respond? A. "If you eat a low-fat and low-fiber diet, your chances decrease significantly." B. "You are safe. This is an autosomal dominant disorder that skips generations." C. "Preemptive surgery and chemotherapy will remove cancer cells and prevent cancer." D. "You should have a colonoscopy more frequently to identify abnormal polyps early."
Answer: D
An emergency room nurse cares for a client who has been shot in the abdomen and is hemorrhaging heavily. Which action should the nurse take first? A. Send a blood sample for a type and crossmatch B. Insert a large intravenous line for fluid resuscitation C. Obtain the heart rate and blood pressure D. Assess and maintain a patent airway
Answer: D
After teaching a client who has a femoral hernia, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statement indicates the client needs additional teaching related to the proper use of a truss? A. "I will put on the truss before I go to bed each night." B. "I'll put some powder under the truss to avoid skin irritation." C. "The truss will help my hernia because I can't have surgery." D. "If I have abdominal pain, I'll let my health care provider know right away."
Answer: A
After teaching a client with irritable bowel syndrome, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which menu selection indicates that the client correctly understands the dietary teaching? A. Ham sandwich on white bread, cup of applesauce, glass of diet cola B. Broiled chicken with brown rice, steamed broccoli, glass of apple juice C. Grilled cheese sandwich, small banana, cup of hot tea with lemon D. Baked tilapia, fresh green beans, cup of coffee with low-fat milk
Answer: B
After teaching a client who is recovering from a colon resection, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which statements by the client indicate a correct understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.) a. "I must change the ostomy appliance daily and as needed." b. "I will use warm water and a soft washcloth to clean around the stoma." c. "I might start bicycling and swimming again once my incision has healed." d. "Cutting the flange will help it fit snugly around the stoma to avoid skin breakdown." e. "I will check the stoma regularly to make sure that it stays a deep red color." f. "I must avoid dairy products to reduce gas and odor in the pouch."
Answer: B, C, D
