Chapter 55: Care of Patients with Stomach Disorders

A nurse is teaching a client about magnesium hydroxide with aluminum hydroxide (Maalox). What instruction is most appropriate?

"Report diarrhea to provider"

A client with peptic ulcer disease asks the nurse about taking slippery elm supplements. What response by the nurse is best?

"Slippery elm is often used for this disorder"

A client has a recurrence of gastric cancer and is in the gastrointestinal clinic crying. What response by the nurse is most appropriate

"I'd like to know what you're feeling now"

For which client would the nurse suggest the provider to not prescribe misoprostol (Cytotec)?

A client who is pregnant

A client has dumping syndrome after a partial gastrectomy. Which action by the nurse would be most helpful?

Arrange a dietary consult

An older client has gastric cancer and is scheduled to have a partial gastrectomy. The family does not want the client told about her diagnosis. What action by the nurse is best?

Assess family concerns and fears

A client is scheduled for a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. What preoperative laboratory result should the nurse report to the surgeon immediately?

INR: 4.2

An older female client has been prescribed esomeprazole (Nexium) for treatment of chronic gastric ulcers. What teaching is particularly important for this client?

Increase intake of calcium and vitamin D

A client with a bleeding gastric ulcer is having a nuclear medicine scan. What action by the nurse is most appropriate

Inform client that a second scan may be needed

The nurse caring for clients with gastrointestinal disorders should understand that which category best describes the mechanism of action of sucralfate (Carafate)

Mucosal barrier fortifier

The nurse is caring for a client with peptic ulcer disease who reports sudden onset of sharp abdominal pain. On palpation, the clients abdomen is tense and rigid. What action takes priority?

Notify HCP immedietly

A client had an upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and now has a nasogastric (NG) tube. What comfort measure may the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Preforming frequent oral care

A nurse answers a clients call light and finds the client in the bathroom, vomiting large amounts of bright red blood. Which action should the nurse take first?

Put on gloves

A client has a pyloric obstruction and reports sudden muscle weakness. What action by the nurse takes priority?

Request ECG

A client with peptic ulcer disease is in the emergency department and reports the pain has gotten much worse over the last several days. The clients blood pressure when lying down was 122/80 mm Hg and when standing was 98/52 mm Hg. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Start a large-bore IV with normal saline.

A client is being taught about drug therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. What assessment by the nurse is most important?

Willingness to adhere to drug therapy

The student nurse studying stomach disorders learns that the risk factors for acute gastritis include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

•Alcohol •Caffeine •Corticosteroids •NSAIDs

The student nurse learns about risk factors for gastric cancer. Which factors does this include? (Select all that apply.)

•Achlorhydria •Chronic atrophic gastritis •Helicobacter pylori infection •Pernicious anemi

A nurse is preparing to administer pantoprazole (Protonix) intravenously. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

•Administer the drug through a separate IV line. •Infuse pantoprazole using an IV pump. •Use an in-line IV filter when infusing

A client who had a partial gastrectomy has several expected nutritional problems. What actions by the nurse are best to promote better nutrition? (Select all that apply.)

•Administers vitamin B12 injections •Ask provider about folic acid replacement •Provide iron supplements to client

A client has a gastrointestinal hemorrhage and is prescribed two units of packed red blood cells. What actions should the nurse perform prior to hanging the blood? (Select all that apply.)

•Ask a second nurse to double-check the blood. •Prime the IV tubing with normal saline. •Take and record a set of vital signs. •Teach the client about reaction manifestations.

A client has dumping syndrome. What menu selections indicate the client understands the correct diet to manage this condition? (Select all that apply)

•Canned unsweetened apricots •Potato soup

A nurse working with a client who has possible gastritis assesses the clients gastrointestinal system. Which findings indicate a chronic condition as opposed to acute gastritis? (Select all that apply.)

•Fatty food intolerance •Pernicious anemia