GI prep u questions

A client is diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. Which statement indicates effective client teaching about hiatal hernia and its treatment?

"I'll eat frequent, small, bland meals that are high in fiber."

A client with colon cancer asks the nurse why radiation therapy is being received before surgery. Which response would be most appropriate?

"It helps reduce the size of the tumor." Radiation therapy is used to treat colon cancer before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, making it easier to resect. Radiation therapy can't eliminate the malignant cells (though it helps to define tumor margins), isn't curative, and could slow postoperative healing.

A client had a gastroscopy while under local anesthesia. Before resuming the client's oral fluid intake, which action should the nurse take first?

Check for a gag reflex.

A client is recovering from a small-bowel resection. To relieve pain, the physician prescribes meperidine, 75 mg I.M. every 4 hours. When will the nurse evaluate the client, after administration of meperidine, to determine if the onset of action has occurred?

Meperidine's onset of action is 15 to 30 minutes. It peaks between 30 and 60 minutes and has a duration of action of 2 to 4 hours.

When caring for a client who has had constipation for 4 days, what should be the nurse's primary client care concern?

Promoting defecation

The client with a peptic ulcer is prescribed an antacid. After administering the medication, the nurse assesses the pH of which organ contents to determine effectiveness?

Stomach

For a client who must undergo colon surgery, the physician orders preoperative cleansing enemas. The nurse anticipates administration of neomycin (Mycifradin) to this client to:

decrease the intestinal bacteria count.

Which symptoms, if reported by a client, should lead the nurse to suspect Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine?

nausea accompanied by vomiting

A client presents with constipation. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer to this client?

Docusate sodium, a laxative, is used to treat constipation.

A nurse reinforces education that has been provided to an older adult about good bowel habits. Which statement indicates that the client understands the information?

"Fifteen minutes of exercise three times a week improves bowel habits."

A client comes to the clinic for a follow-up appointment after diagnostic tests show gastroesophageal reflux disease. What instructions should the nurse reinforce?

"Avoid alcohol and caffeine." A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease should avoid alcohol, caffeine, and foods that increase acidity, all of which can cause epigastric pain. To further prevent reflux, the client should remain upright for 2 to 3 hours after eating; avoid eating for 2 to 3 hours before bedtime; avoid bending and wearing tight clothing; avoid drinking large fluid volumes with meals; and eat small, frequent meals to help reduce gastric acid secretion.

A client recently diagnosed with colon cancer states, "I am having trouble sleeping because of thoughts of how life will change after surgery." What is the best response by the nurse?

"I will sit and talk with you about how you are feeling." The client is having trouble sleeping because of concerns about life changes. The client may be experiencing anxiety and powerlessness. Encouraging the client to verbalize feelings will help the nurse to determine how to assist the client and may reduce the client's anxiety. The other options do not directly address the client's comments and concerns.

The nurse reinforces home care instructions given to a client with a diagnosis of hiatal hernia. Which statement made by the client indicates an understanding of the instructions?

"I'll sleep with my head elevated about 3 to 4 inches."

The nurse is monitoring a client receiving paregoric to treat diarrhea for drug interactions. Which drugs can produce additive constipation when given with an opium preparation?

Anticholinergic drugs Paregoric has an additive effect of constipation when used with anticholinergic drugs. Antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, and antihypertensives aren't known to interact with paregoric.

A nurse is working with a nursing assistant, who is given the task of calculating three clients' intake and output at the end of the shift. When the nurse reviews the nursing assistant's work, she discovers inaccuracies in the nursing assistant's results. What should the nurse do?

Ask the nursing assistant to show her how she determined the results.

To verify the placement of a gastric feeding tube, the nurse should perform at least two tests. One test requires instilling air into the tube with a syringe and listening with a stethoscope for air passing into the stomach. What is another test method?

Aspiration of gastric contents and testing for a pH less than 6

The physician orders morphine for a client who complains of postoperative abdominal pain. The nurse is monitoring the client and will anticipate administering morphine at what time?

Before the pain becomes severe

A client is being admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain, anemia, and bloody stools. The client complains of feeling weak and dizzy. The client has rectal pressure and needs to urinate and move their bowels. The nurse should help the client

onto the bedpan. A client who's dizzy and anemic is at risk for injury because of their weakened state. Assisting the client with the bedpan would best meet their needs at this time without risking the client's safety. The client may fall if walking to the bathroom, left alone to urinate, or trying to stand up.