Med-Surg Chapter 44- GI
A client presents at the ambulatory clinic reporting recurrent sharp stomach pain that is relieved by eating. The nurse suspects that the client may have an ulcer. How should the nurse explain the formation and role of acid in the stomach to the client?
"Hydrochloric acid is secreted by glands in the stomach in response to the actual or anticipated presence of food."
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 client has been brought to the emergency department with abdominal pain and is subsequently diagnosed with appendicitis. The client is scheduled for an appendectomy but questions the nurse about how his health will be affected by the absence of an appendix. How should the nurse best respond?
"Your appendix doesn't play a major role, so you won't notice any difference after your recovery from surgery."
The nurse is performing an assessment of a patient. During the assessment the patient informs the nurse of some recent "stomach trouble." What does the nurse know is the most common symptom of patients with GI dysfunction?
Dyspepsia
A clinic client has described recent dark-colored stools and the nurse recognizes the need for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). What aspect of the client's current health status would contraindicate FOBT?
Hemorrhoids
An advanced practice nurse is assessing the size and density of a client's abdominal organs. If the results of palpation are unclear to the nurse, what assessment technique should be implemented?
Percussion
A patient is scheduled for a fiberoptic colonoscopy. What does the nurse know that fiberoptic colonoscopy is most frequently used to diagnose?
cancer
A client has returned to the medical unit after a barium enema. When assessing the client's subsequent bowel patterns and stools, what finding would warrant reporting to the health care provider?
Streaks of blood present in the stool
A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client with a suspected GI bleed. The nurse assesses the client's stool after a bowel movement and notes it to be a tarry-black color. This finding is suggestive of bleeding from what location?
Upper GI tract
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
Which term describes a gastric secretion that combines with vitamin B12 so that it can be absorbed?
intrinsic factor
A nurse is promoting increased protein intake to enhance a client's wound healing. What is the enzyme that will initiate the digestion of the protein that the client consumes?
pepsin
A client tells the nurse that the stool was colored yellow. The nurse assesses the client for
recent foods ingested.
A nurse is assisting with preoperative care for a client who requires an appendectomy. The nurse is aware that the surgery will involve which abdominal quadrant?
RIGHT lower
A client who has been in a motor-vehicle collision is comatose and has developed ascites as a result of the accident. The nurse explains the condition to the client's family, and indicates that the primary function of the small intestine is to:
absorb nutrients
