GI questions

The nurse is instructing a patient who is experiencing chronic nausea and vomiting about antiemetic therapy. What is the most important precaution the nurse teaches the patient? a. "Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this drug." b."Report any constipation lasting two days or longer to your prescriber." c."Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when going outdoors." d."Rinse your mouth frequently to reduce the unpleasant sensation of dry mouth." e."The fatigue you experience with this drug should lessen over time."

a. "Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this drug."

Which symptoms are associated with gastric ulcers? a. Burning pain that is relieved by eating b. Shortness of breath in any position c. Constant bloating and diarrhea d. Burning pain that is relieved by abstaining from food e. Weight gain

a. Burning pain that is relieved by eating

A patient who is prescribed promethazine (Phenergan) currently has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. What is the nurse's best action? a. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber. b. Place the patient on oxygen at 2 L per nasal cannula. c. Document this as an expected side effect of the drug. d. Raise the head of the bed 90 degrees. e. Give the med, but monitor for any respiratory depression.

a. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber

How do histamine (H2) blockers help heal gastric ulcers? a. They decrease the amount of acid secreted by stomach cells. b. They promote cell division. c. They neutralize acids that are present in the stomach. d. They increase the rate that stomach contents move into the intestinal tract. e. They block secretion of gastric acid.

a. They decrease the amount of acid secreted by stomach cells.

A patient who is prescribed omeprazole (Prilosec) asks the nurse why the drug should be taken before breakfast. What is the nurse's best response? a."The intended action of this drug is best achieved when given before meals, preferably in the morning." b. "It is best to take this drug in the morning so that antacids taken later in the day do not interfere with absorption." c. "This drug should always be taken on an empty stomach for maximal action and for better absorption." d. "Taking this drug early in the morning helps to minimize the occurrence of side effects or adverse effects." e. "Acid production is highest in the morning."

a."The intended action of this drug is best achieved when given before meals, preferably in the morning."

The nurse is instructing a patient on how to prevent constipation. Which point does the nurse plan to include in the teaching plan? a."You should drink plenty of fluids every day to prevent constipation." b."Be sure to eat a diet that is low in fiber." c."Use a laxative on a daily basis to prevent constipation." d."Physical inactivity will not affect your bowel function." e. "Add soluble fiber to your diet and avoid insoluble fiber to prevent constipation."

a."You should drink plenty of fluids every day to prevent constipation."

A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) asks the nurse why metoclopramide (Reglan) has been prescribed. What is the nurse's best response? a. "The purpose of this drug for GERD is to prevent nausea." b. "This drug has been prescribed to help move food along through your GI tract." c. "Metoclopramide will prevent vomiting and the risk for aspiration." d. "This drug causes growth of new cells to heal your esophagus." e. "It will decrease the LES tone."

b. "This drug has been prescribed to help move food along through your GI tract."

The nurse is preparing an older adult patient who has been prescribed ranitidine (Zantac) for discharge. Which common side effect should the nurse instruct the patient's family to watch for? a. Anxiety b. Confusion c. Depression d. Psychosis e. Light-colored stools

b. Confusion

A patient prescribed metoclopramide (Reglan) reports having difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, tiredness, and feeling hopeless. What is the nurse's best action? a. Instruct the patient that these are expected side effects of the drug. b. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber. c. Check the patient's chart history of depression. d. Document these findings as the only action. e. Check the patient's med list for drug interactions.

b. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber.

A patient prescribed metoclopramide (Reglan) tells the nurse that his abdomen is making gurgling sounds. What is the nurse's best action? a. Document this finding as the only action. b. Instruct the patient that this is an expected effect of the drug. c. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber. d. Give the drug and notify the prescriber. e. Instruct the patient to add more fiber to his diet.

b. Instruct the patient that this is an expected effect of the drug.

Why should parents be taught not to give bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to a child? a. It changes stool color making the identification of GI bleeding more difficult. b. It contains aspirin that can cause Reye's syndrome. c. It has such powerful antidiarrheal effects that toxic megacolon can occur. d. It produces a paradoxical reaction in children that results in worsening of the symptoms. e. Its taste is very off-putting to children.

b. It contains aspirin that can cause Reye's syndrome.

Why does the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus cause tissue damage? a. No digestive processes occur in the esophagus. b. The esophagus does not have the thick gel-like mucus to protect it from acid. c. The esophagus secretes only bicarbonate, which is not strong enough to neutralize stomach acids. d. The esophagus cannot expand with extra volume, and the excessive stretching damages the muscle layer. e. The villi in the esophagus are easily irritated.

b. The esophagus does not have the thick gel-like mucus to protect it from acid.

A patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease is prescribed ranitidine (Zantac). Which statement by the patient indicates to the nurse a need for additional teaching? a. "If I need to use ranitidine for more than 2 weeks, I will notify my prescriber." b. "I will look into a smoking cessation program when I go home." c. "I will take the ranitidine before breakfast so that its effect will last all day and night." d. "I will not drive until I know how the ranitidine affects me." e. "This medication may make me feel confused."

c. "I will take the ranitidine before breakfast so that its effect will last all day and night."

Which action is most important for the nurse to perform after giving a patient bisacodyl (Dulcolax)? a. Comparing daily urine output with fluid intake b. Ensuring that the patient complies with a low-sodium diet c. Assessing pulse rate and regularity every 4 hours d. Testing the patient's blood glucose level at least every shift e. Assessing for alertness and orientation

c. Assessing pulse rate and regularity every 4 hours

Which factor is the cause of most peptic ulcers? a. Excessive production of stomach acids b. Lifestyle factors such as stress and spicy foods c. Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria d. Excessive use of drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e. Alcohol abuse

c. Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria

A patient who is prescribed sucralfate asks the nurse how this drug will help treat his gastric ulcer. What is the nurse's best response? a."Sucralfate decreases secretion of gastric acids to help your ulcer heal." b."Sucralfate completely blocks the secretion of gastric acids so your ulcer can heal." c." Sucralfate forms a thick coating to cover the ulcer, protect from further damage, and allow healing." d."Sucralfate treats the infection with H. pylori that is the major cause of gastric ulcers." e. "Sucralfate provides relief but it is not curative."

c." Sucralfate forms a thick coating to cover the ulcer, protect from further damage, and allow healing."

The nurse is instructing a patient who has been prescribed sucralfate (Carafate) for peptic ulcer disease. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for additional teaching? a. "This drug coats my ulcer and protects it so that healing can occur." b. "I should eat foods with lots of fiber while I'm taking this drug." c. "If I feel dizzy, I will be sure to get up from bed slowly." d. "Once I am feeling better I can stop taking the drug." e. "I should increase my fluids while I'm taking this drug."

d. "Once I am feeling better I can stop taking the drug."

To prevent a common risk among older adults who are prescribed proton pump inhibitors, which safety precaution does the nurse recommend? a."Be sure to take a daily multivitamin." b. "Report pain over 4 on a 10/10 scale." c."Take this drug with food or a full glass of fluid." d. "Use handrails when going up or down stairs." e. "Notify your prescriber if you develop belching or gas."

d. "Use handrails when going up or down stairs."

A patient reports taking psyllium (Metamucil) every morning to prevent constipation. What is the nurse's best action? a. Remind the patient that over-the-counter laxatives should not be taken for more than one week. b. Instruct the patient that long-term use of psyllium can cause health problems. c. Hold the drug and notify the prescriber immediately. d. Document this information as the only action. e. Advise her to change to a stool softener if she will continue needing a laxative.

d. Document this information as the only action.

The mother of a 9-month-old child reports that the child has a bowel movement only every 2 or 3 days and that the stool is small and hard, "like marbles." What does the nurse recommend as starting treatment for this problem? a. Use castor oil every 3 days b. Instruct the mother that this may be normal for her child c. Ensure that the child gets adequate exercise d. Increase the child's fluid intake e. Mix a bulk-forming laxative in with the child's cereal

d. Increase the child's fluid intake

Which precaution is most important for the nurse to teach a patient who is prescribed an antacid? a."Avoid using extra pepper on your food while taking this drug." b."If you become constipated, stop taking the antacid completely." c."Notify your prescriber if heartburn continues after you have taken the drug for 3 days." d."Take this drug at least 2 hours before or after taking any other drug." e. "These drugs can be taken as often as needed to reduce symptoms."

d."Take this drug at least 2 hours before or after taking any other drug."

The mother of a 6-year-old child receiving diphenoxylate (Lomotil) for the last 4 days for diarrhea reports by telephone that the diarrhea has stopped and that the child's pants cannot be zipped or buttoned today. What is the nurse's best advice? a. "Give the child only half the dose of the drug today." b. "Do not give the child fluids for the next 24 hours." c. "Have the child wear loose-fitting clothes until the abdomen returns to normal." d. "When diarrhea is cured the stool enlarges the abdomen." e. "Stop the drug and go immediately to the prescriber's office."

e. "Stop the drug and go immediately to the prescriber's office."

Which statement about normal bowel function is true? a. Bowel movements should occur once a day every day. b. Frequency of bowel movements is more important than their consistency. c. Bowel movements are very simple processes. d. Stimulant laxatives can be used to prevent constipation e. Bowel movements should be soft and easily pass out of the bowel.

e. Bowel movements should be soft and easily pass out of the bowel.

A patient who is prescribed prochlorperazine (Compazine) for postoperative nausea and vomiting has all of the following changes. For which change does the nurse immediately contact the prescriber? a. Systolic blood pressure decrease of 12 mm Hg b. Increased sleepiness but arouses with light shaking c. Dry mouth d. Urine color change from yellow to reddish-brown e. Oral temperature increase of 2 F

e. Oral temperature increase of 2 F

Which laboratory value must the nurse monitor after a patient takes bisacodyl (Dulcolax) for constipation? a. Sodium b. WBCs c. Creatinine d. Blood urea nitrogen e. Potassium

e. Potassium

The spouse of a patient who is prescribed promethazine (Phenergan) as part of her antiemetic therapy with chemotherapy reports that after the last dose the patient did not remember the drive home. What is the nurse's best action? a.Thank the spouse for reporting the problem, and document the adverse drug reaction. b.Hold the dose of promethazine for this round of chemotherapy until the patient is seen by the prescriber. c. Suggest to the prescriber that prochlorperazine be tried instead. d.Perform a mini-mental status exam and assess the patient's pupillary reflexes before administering the promethazine. e. Reassure the patient and spouse that this is a normal response to the drug and that the patient should not drive home.

e. Reassure the patient and spouse that this is a normal response to the drug and that the patient should not drive home.

Which protective mechanism by the stomach protects it from stomach acids and the formation of gastric ulcers? a. Buffers such as bicarbonate neutralize stomach acids. b. Acid secretion is decreased when food is not present in the stomach. c. Expulsion of toxins through vomiting d. Stomach secretions such as lipase digest foods and protect the stomach. e. The stomach secretes a thick gel-like mucus to coat itself.

e. The stomach secretes a thick gel-like mucus to coat itself.

How do osmotic laxatives reduce constipation? a. They block receptors in the intestinal tract to increase motility. b. They add bulk to the stool, which increases stool mass that stimulates peristalsis. c. They soften stool, allowing the stool to mix with fatty substances, making it easier to eliminate. d. They cause chemical irritation of nerve receptors in the intestinal lining, which then triggers peristalsis. e. They cause retention of fluid in the bowel, increasing the water content in stool.

e. They cause retention of fluid in the bowel, increasing the water content in stool.