exam 3 327 chapter 43
While completing an abdominal assessment, the nurse will use which landmark as the upper boundary for auscultating bowel sounds?
Xiphoid process Explanation: Understanding the division of the abdomen into four quadrants or nine regions helps the nurse to complete thorough assessment. The xiphoid process in the epigastric region is the upper boundary for auscultating bowel sounds.
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 Explanation: The duodenum, which is approximately 10 inches long, is the first region of the small intestine and the site where bile and pancreatic enzymes enter.
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." Explanation: The client demonstrates understanding of a barium swallow when stating he or she must refrain from eating or drinking for 6 to 8 hours before the test. No other preparation is needed. Before a lower GI series, the client should eat a low-residue or clear liquid diet for 2 days and take a potent laxative and an oral liquid preparation.
A client presented with gastrointestinal bleeding 2 days ago and continues to have problems. The health care provider has ordered a visualization of the small intestine via a capsule endoscopy. What will the nurse include in the client education about this procedure?
"You will need to swallow a capsule." Explanation: A capsule endoscopy allows for noninvasive visualization of the small intestinal mucosa. The technique consists of the client swallowing a capsule that is embedded with a wireless miniature camera, which is propelled through the intestine by peristalsis. The capsule passes from the rectum in 1 to 2 days.
When assisting with preparing a client scheduled for a barium swallow, which of the following would be appropriate to include?
Avoid smoking for at least 12 to 24 hours before the procedure. Explanation: The nurse should instruct the client to avoid smoking for at least a day before the procedure of barium swallow because smoking stimulates gastric motility. The client is advised to take vitamin K before a liver biopsy and instructed to take three cleansing enemas before a barium enema. Instruction to avoid red meat would be appropriate for a client who is having a Hemoccult test.
During a colonoscopy with moderate sedation, the patient groans with obvious discomfort and begins bleeding from the rectum. The patient is diaphoretic and has an increase in abdominal girth from distention. What complication of this procedure is the nurse aware may be occurring?
Bowel perforation Explanation: Immediately after the test, the patient is monitored for signs and symptoms of bowel perforation (e.g., rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or distention, fever, focal peritoneal signs).
A client is scheduled for several diagnostic tests to evaluate gastrointestinal function. After teaching the client about these tests, the nurse determines that the client has understood the teaching when the client identifies which test as not requiring the use of a contrast medium?
Colonoscopy Explanation: A colonoscopy is a direct visual examination of the entire large intestine. It does not involve the use of a contrast agent. Contrast medium may be used with a small bowel series, computed tomography, and upper GI series.
A nurse is aware that both the sympathetic and parasympathetic portions of the autonomic nervous system affect GI motility. What are the actions of the sympathetic nervous system? Select all that apply.
Decreases gastric motility Causes blood vessel constriction Creates an inhibitory effect on the GI tract Explanation: Generally, the sympathetic nervous system inhibits the gastrointestinal tract and the parasympathetic nerve stimulates the tract, increasing peristalsis and secretary activities.
A few hours after eating hot and spicy chicken wings, a client presents with lower chest pain. He wonders if he is having a heart attack. How should the nurse proceed first?
Further investigate the initial complaint. Explanation: While fatty foods can cause discomfort similar to chest pain, the nurse must fully assess all the client's symptoms. Investigation of chief complaint begins with a complete history. The underlying cause of pain influences the characteristics, duration, pattern, location, and distribution of pain.
Swallowing is regulated by which area of the central nervous system (CNS)?
Medulla oblongata Explanation: Swallowing begins as a voluntary act that is regulated by the swallowing center in the medulla oblongata of the CNS. The act of swallowing requires the innervations of five cranial nerves (CNs), especially CN V, VII, IX, X, and XII. Swallowing is not regulated by the pons, cerebellum, or hypothalamus.
The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a percutaneous liver biopsy. Which diagnostic test is obtained prior?
Prothrombin time (PT) Explanation: The client must have coagulation studies before the procedure such as a PT or PTT because a major complication after a liver biopsy is bleeding. Clients at risk for serious bleeding may receive precautionary vitamin K. A complete blood count and blood chemistry may be completed for baseline values. Typically, an ESR is not associated with the procedure.
The nurse is scheduling gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic testing for a client. Which GI test should be scheduled first?
Radiography of the gallbladder Explanation: Radiography of the gallbladder should be performed before other GI exams in which barium is used because residual barium tends to obscure the images of the gallbladder and its duct.
The nurse is instructing the client who was newly diagnosed with peptic ulcers. Which of the following diagnostic studies would the nurse anticipate reviewing with the client?
Serum antibodies for H. pylori Explanation: Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium, is believed to be responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers. Blood tests are used to determine whether there are antibodies to H. pylori in the blood. A complete blood count with differential can indicate bleeding and infection associated with a bleeding ulcer. A sigmoidoscopy assesses the lower gastrointestinal tract. Gastric analysis is more common in analyzing gastric fluid in determining problems with the secretory activity of the gastric mucosa.
The nurse is caring for a geriatric client experiencing diarrhea. When teaching about the site in the body where water and electrolytes are absorbed, the nurse is most correct to instruct on which location?
The small bowel Explanation: The nurse is correct in instructing the client that water and electrolytes are mainly absorbed in the small bowel. The other options are not the best site for absorption.
Lisa Bentley, a 32-year-old teacher, presents to the gastroenterology office where you work. She is known to have a history of Crohn's disease, and you have met with her several times to discuss the various health concerns that she has related to her diagnosis. When talking with the client, the nurse explains that having a GI disorder doesn't mean her problems are limited to the one area that is diseased but might also involve all of the following except ________.
metabolism Explanation: The client with a GI disorder may experience a wide variety of health problems that involve disturbances of ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. The client with a GI disorder may experience health problems that involve disturbances of ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination.
Which response is a parasympathetic response in the GI tract?
increased peristalsis Explanation: Increased peristalsis is a parasympathetic response in the GI tract. Decreased gastric secretion, blood vessel constriction, and decreased motility are sympathetic responses in the GI tract.
The nurse is assessing a client who is stating gastrointestinal upset and a feeling of bloating. Which type of meal would the nurse anticipate causing these types of symptoms?
Hamburger and French fries Explanation: Fatty foods delay stomach emptying (bloating) and can cause symptoms of gastrointestinal upset. Fried and deep fried foods contain elevated amounts of fat. The other options have a lower fat content.
The nurse prepares to administer the lavage solution to a client having a colostomy completed. The nurse stops and notifies the physician when noting that the client has which condition?
inflammatory bowel disease Explanation: The nurse stops administering the lavage solution and notifies the physician when the nurse notes that the client has inflammatory bowel disease. Another contraindication for use of lavage solution is intestinal obstruction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension are not contraindications to administration of lavage solution in preparation for a colonoscopy.
Which of the following is an enzyme secreted by the gastric mucosa
Pepsin Explanation: Pepsin is secreted by the gastric mucosa. Trypsin is secreted by the pancreas. The salivary glands secrete ptyalin. The liver and gallbladder secrete bile.
A health care provider plans to send a client home with supplies to complete a hemoccult test on all stools for 3 days. During the client education, the nurse informs the client to avoid which medication while collecting stool for the test?
ibuprofen Explanation: Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is one of the most commonly performed stool tests. FOBT can be done at the bedside, in the physician's office, or at home. The client is taught to avoid aspirin, red meats, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, and horseradish for 72 hours prior to the examination. Ibuprofen (Advil) is an anti-inflammatory drug and should be avoided with FOBT.
