Chapter 44: Introduction to the Gastrointestinal system and accessory structures

A home care nurse is caring for a client with reports of epigastric discomfort who is scheduled for a barium swallow. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the test?

"I'll avoid eating or drinking anything 6 to 8 hours before the test."

Which of the following is the primary function of the small intestine?

Absorption

Which of the following digestive enzymes aids in the digesting of starch?

Amylase

When examining the skin of a client who is dehydrated due to fluid losses from the gastrointestinal tract, which of the following would be most important?

Checking if the mucous membranes are dry

A nurse has auscultated a client's abdomen and noted one or two bowel sounds in a 2-minute period of time. How should the nurse document the client's bowel sounds?

Hypoactive

A client is scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal barium study. Which teaching will the nurse provide for the client to prepare for this diagnostic test?

Ingest nothing by mouth after midnight.

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of the client with an undiagnosed disorder. In which sequence would the nurse conduct the abdominal assessment? (Use all options.)

Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation

The nurse is caring for a geriatric client and notices polypharmacy. Which diagnostic studies are anticipated?

Liver function studies

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.

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 assisting with preoperative care for a client who requires an appendectomy. The nurse is aware that the surgery will involve which abdominal quadrant? Mark the correct area.

The appendix is in the right lower quadrant.

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

The nurse prepares a client for a barium enema. The nurse should place the client on which diet prior to the procedure?

clear liquids day before

Which term describes a gastric secretion that combines with vitamin B12 so that it can be absorbed?

intrinsic factor

The nurse recognizes which change of the GI system is an age-related change?

weakened gag reflex

A client is scheduled for an ultrasound of the abdomen. Which statement indicates that teaching provided to the client to prepare for the test was effective?

"I will not eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours before the test."

An adult client is scheduled for an upper GI series that will use a barium swallow. What teaching should the nurse include when the client has completed the test?

Fluids must be increased to facilitate the evacuation of the stool.

A client asks the nursing assistant for a bedpan. When the client is finished, the nursing assistant notifies the nurse that the client has bright red streaking of blood in the stool. The nurse's assessment should focus on what potential cause?

Hemorrhoids

The nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of AIDS. Inspection of the client's mouth reveals the new presence of white lesions on the client's oral mucosa. What is the nurse's mostappropriate response?

Inform the primary provider of this finding.

The nurse is preparing to perform a client's abdominal assessment. What examination sequence should the nurse follow?

Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation

The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. The nurse should assist the client into what position during this diagnostic test?

Lying on the left side with legs drawn toward the chest

A nurse is caring for clients in a stroke rehabilitation facility. Damage to what area of the brain will most affect a client's ability to swallow?

Medulla oblongata

The nurse is answering questions regarding fecal matter for a client who is scheduled for a colon resection. The client is asking questions regarding the composition of the fecal matter and when it becomes a formed mass. The nurse is most correct to state at which location?

Sigmoid colon

When gastric analysis testing reveals excess secretion of gastric acid, the nurse recognizes which medical diagnoses is supported?

duodenal ulcer

Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder characterized by pulmonary and pancreatic dysfunction, usually appears in young children but can also affect adults. If the pancreas was functioning correctly, where would the bile and pancreatic enzymes enter the GI system?

duodenum

A client tells the nurse that the stool was colored yellow. The nurse assesses the client for

recent foods ingested.

A female client has presented to the emergency department with right upper quadrant pain; the health care provider has ordered abdominal ultrasound to rule out cholecystitis. The client expresses concern to the nurse about the safety of this diagnostic procedure. How should the nurse best respond?

"Abdominal ultrasound poses no known safety risks of any kind."

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 reports a history of bleeding hemorrhoids to the nurse. Which observation supports the client's statement?

Blood streaks on stool

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

The client describes a test previously completed to detect a small bowel obstruction prior to admission to the hospital. The client states that the test involved insertion of a tube through the nose and lasted over 6 hours. The nurse determines which test name should be documented?

upper GI enteroclysis

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 a person's health is affected by the absence of the appendix. How should the nurse best respond?

"Your appendix doesn't play a major role in health, so you won't notice any difference after your recovery from surgery."

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's sigmoidoscopy has been successfully completed and the client is preparing to return home. What teaching point should the nurse include in the client's discharge education?

The client can resume a normal routine immediately.