Med Surg Ch. 47 Lower GI

What is the most common cause of small-bowel obstruction?

Adhesions Adhesions are scar tissue that forms as a result of inflammation and infection. Adhesions are the most common cause of small-bowel obstruction, followed by tumors, Crohn's disease, and hernias. Other causes include intussusception, volvulus, and paralytic ileus.

Which of the following is the diagnostic of choice if the suspected diagnosis is diverticulitis?

Computed tomography scan A computed tomography scan is the diagnostic of choice if the suspected diagnosis is diverticulitis; it can also reveal one or more abscesses. A barium enema or colonoscopy may be used to diagnosis diverticulosis. Magnetic resonance imaging would not be used to diagnose diverticulitis.

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with abdominal perforation. Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of this disease process?

Hypotension Clinical manifestations include hypotension, increased temperature, tachycardia, and elevated ESR.

After teaching a group of students about irritable bowel syndrome and antidiarrheal agents, the instructor determines that the teaching was effective when the students identify which of the following as an example of an opiate-related antidiarrheal agent?

Loperamide Loperamide and diphenoxylate with atropine sulfate are examples of opiate-related antidiarrheal agents. Bismuth subsalicylate and kaolin and pectin are examples of absorbent antidiarrheal agents. Bisacodyl is a chemical stimulant laxative.

The nurse is caring for an older adult patient experiencing fecal incontinence. When planning the care of this patient, what should the nurse designate as a priority goal?

Maintaining skin integrity Fecal incontinence can disrupt perineal skin integrity. Maintaining skin integrity is a priority, especially in the debilitated or older adult patient.

Which of the following is considered a bulk-forming laxative?

Metamucil Metamucil is a bulk-forming laxative. Milk of Magnesia is classified as a saline agent. Mineral oil is a lubricant. Dulcolax is a stimulant.

Which of the following is the most common symptom of a polyp?

Rectal bleeding The most common symptom is rectal bleeding. Lower abdominal pain may also occur. Diarrhea and anorexia are clinical manifestations of ulcerative colitis.

A client who has undergone colostomy surgery is experiencing constipation. Which intervention should a nurse consider for such a client?

Suggest fluid intake of at least 2 L/day The nurse should suggest a fluid intake of at least 2 L/day to help the client avoid constipation. The nurse should also offer prune or apple juice because they promote elimination. The nurse should encourage the client to eat regular meals. Dieting or fasting can decrease stool volume and slow elimination. The nurse should instruct the client to keep a record of food intake in case of diarrhea, because this helps identify specific foods that irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Which is a true statement regarding regional enteritis (Crohn's disease)?

The clusters of ulcers take on a cobblestone appearance. The clusters of ulcers take on a cobblestone appearance. It is characterized by remissions and exacerbations. The pain is located in the lower right quadrant. The lesions are not in continuous contact with one another and are separated by normal tissue.

Patients diagnosed with malabsorption syndrome may have vitamin and mineral deficiency. Patient who easily bleed have which of the following deficiencies?

Vitamin K The chief result of malabsorption is malnutrition, manifested by weight loss and other signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency (e.g., easy bruising [vitamin K deficiency], osteoporosis [calcium deficiency], and anemia [iron, vitamin B12 deficiency]).

Diet therapy for clients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) includes:

high-fiber diet. A high-fiber diet is prescribed to help control diarrhea and constipation. Foods that are possible irritants, such as caffeine, spicy foods, lactose, beans, fried foods, corn, wheat, and alcohol, should be avoided. Fluids should not be taken with meals because they cause abdominal distention.

The presence of mucus and pus in the stools suggests which condition?

Ulcerative colitis The presence of mucus and pus in the stools suggests ulcerative colitis. Watery stools are characteristic of small-bowel disease. Loose, semisolid stools are associated more often with disorders of the colon. Voluminous, greasy stools suggest intestinal malabsorption.

Which drug is considered a stimulant laxative?

Bisacodyl Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. Magnesium hydroxide is a saline agent. Mineral oil is a lubricant. Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid is a bulk-forming agent.

Which of the following laxatives should be used by a cardiac patient who should avoid straining?

Colace Colace can be used safely by patients who should avoid straining such as cardiac patients and those with anorectal disorders. Milk of Magnesia is a saline agent. Dulcolax is a stimulant. Mineral oil is a lubricant.

A client with a 10-year history of Crohn's disease is seeing the physician due to increased diarrhea and fatigue. Additionally, the client has developed arthritis and conjunctivitis. What is the most likely cause of the latest symptoms?

Crohn's disease The systemic nature of Crohn's disease is evidenced by symptoms outside the GI tract, referred to as extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. They include arthritis, arthralgias, skin lesions, eye inflammation (uveitis, conjunctivitis, and iritis), and disorders of the liver and gallbladder.

The nurse is caring for a client with a suspected megacolon. The nurse anticipates that one of the findings of assessment will be

Fecal incontinence The nurse should anticipate fecal incontinence as one of the assessment findings. Other possible assessment findings include constipation and abdominal distention.

A client has a 10-year history of Crohn's disease and is seeing the physician due to increased diarrhea and fatigue. What is the recommended dietary approach to treat Crohn's disease?

dietary approach varies. The dietary approach varies. A high-fiber diet may be indicated when it is desirable to add bulk to loose stools. A low-fiber diet may be indicated in cases of severe inflammation or stricture. A high-calorie and high-protein diet helps replace nutritional losses from chronic diarrhea. The client may need nutritional supplements, depending on the area of the bowel affected. When the small intestine is inflamed, some clients experience lactose intolerance, requiring avoidance of lactose-rich foods.

A client describes being constipated, but also experiencing abdominal cramping, pain, and urgent diarrhea. These symptoms occur more often when the client is nearing a deadline or is under emotional stress. What would be recommended to treat these symptoms? Select all that apply.

-high-fiber diet -psyllium Dietary changes reduce flatulence and abdominal discomfort. A high-fiber diet (30 to 40 g/day) or a bulk-forming agent, such as products containing psyllium, is prescribed to regulate bowel elimination. The fiber draws water into constipated stool and adds bulk to watery stool. An anticholinergic, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), has an antispasmodic effect if taken before meals.

A client has been experiencing lower GI difficulties that have increased in severity, and the gastroenterologist is concerned that the client's bowel is not functioning properly. What function of the lower GI tract is most likely to be affected by the client's disorder?

water and electrolyte absorption Disorders of the lower GI tract usually affect movement of feces toward the anus, absorption of water and electrolytes, and elimination of dietary wastes.

The nurse is conducting a community education program on colorectal cancer. Which statement should the nurse include in the program?

It is the third most common cancer in the United States. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 20. The incidence increases with age (the incidence is highest in people older than 85). Colorectal cancer occurrence is higher in people with a family history of colon cancer.

A patient is admitted to the hospital after not having had a bowel movement in several days. The nurse observes the patient is having small liquid stools, a grossly distended abdomen, and abdominal cramping. What complication can this patient develop related to this problem?

Bowel perforation Megacolon is a dilated and atonic colon caused by a fecal mass that obstructs the passage of colon contents. Symptoms include constipation, liquid fecal incontinence, and abdominal distention. Megacolon can lead to perforation of the bowel.

A patient with IBD would be encouraged to increase fluids, use vitamins and iron supplements, and follow a diet designed to reduce inflammation. Select the meal choice that would be recommended for a low-residue diet.

Broiled chicken with low-fiber pasta A low-residue, high-protein, and high-calorie diet is recommended to reduce the size and number of stools. Foods to avoid include yogurt, fruit, salami, and peanut butter.

A patient is suspected to have diverticulosis without symptoms of diverticulitis. What diagnostic test does the nurse anticipate educating the patient about prior to scheduling?

Colonoscopy Diverticulosis is typically diagnosed by colonoscopy, which permits visualization of the extent of diverticular disease and biopsy of tissue to rule out other diseases. In the past, barium enema was the preferred diagnostic test, but it is now used less frequently than colonoscopy. CT with contrast agent is the diagnostic test of choice if the suspected diagnosis is diverticulitis; it can also reveal abscesses.

The nurse is performing a community screening for colorectal cancer. Which characteristic should the nurse include in the screening?

Familial polyposis Family history of colon cancer or familial polyposis is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Age older than 40 years andd a high-fat, high-protein, low-fiber diet are risk factors for colorectal cancer. A history of skin cancer is not a recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer.

A client is recovering from an ileostomy that was performed to treat inflammatory bowel disease. During discharge teaching, the nurse should stress the importance of:

increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Because stool forms in the large intestine, an ileostomy typically drains liquid waste. To avoid fluid loss through ileostomy drainage, the nurse should instruct the client to increase fluid intake. The nurse should teach the client to wear a collection appliance at all times because ileostomy drainage is incontinent, to avoid high-fiber foods because they may irritate the intestines, and to avoid enteric-coated medications because the body can't absorb them after an ileostomy.

A nurse caring for a client with small-bowel obstruction should plan to implement which nursing intervention first?

Administering I.V. fluids The nurse should first administer I.V. infusions containing normal saline solution and potassium to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. For the client's comfort and to assist in bowel decompression, the nurse should prepare to insert an NG tube next. A blood sample is then obtained for laboratory studies to help diagnose bowel obstruction and guide treatment. Blood studies usually include a complete blood count, serum electrolyte levels, and blood urea nitrogen level. Pain medication commonly is withheld until obstruction is diagnosed because analgesics can decrease intestinal motility.

The nurse working in the ED is evaluating a client for signs and symptoms of appendicitis. Which of the client's signs/symptoms should the nurse report to the physician?

Nausea Nausea, with or without vomiting, is typically associated with appendicitis. Pain is generally felt in the right lower quadrant. Rebound tenderness, or pain felt upon the release of pressure applied to the abdomen, may be present with appendicitis. Low-grade fever is associated with appendicitis.

After undergoing a total cystectomy and urinary diversion, a client has a Kock pouch (continent internal reservoir) in place. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

"I'll have to wear an external collection pouch for the rest of my life." The client requires additional teaching if he states that he'll have to wear an external collection pouch for the rest of his life. An internal collection pouch, such as the Kock pouch, allows the client to perform self-catheterization for ileal drainage. This pouch is an internal reservoir, eliminating the need for an external collection pouch. A well-balanced diet is essential for healing; the client need not include or exclude particular foods. The client should drink at least eight glasses of fluid daily to prevent calculi formation and urinary tract infection. Intervals between pouch drainings should be increased gradually until the pouch is emptied two to four times daily.

After teaching a group of students about intestinal obstruction, the instructor determines that the teaching was effective when the students identify which of the following as a cause of a functional obstruction?

Abdominal surgery In functional obstruction, the intestine can become adynamic from an absence of normal nerve stimulation to intestinal muscle fibers. For example, abdominal surgery can lead to paralytic ileus. Mechanical obstructions result from a narrowing of the bowel lumen with or without a space-occupying mass. A mass may include a tumor, adhesions (fibrous bands that constrict tissue), incarcerated or strangulated hernias, volvulus (kinking of a portion of intestine), intussusception (telescoping of one part of the intestine into an adjacent part), or impacted feces or barium.

When preparing a client for surgery to treat appendicitis, the nurse formulates a nursing diagnosis of Risk for infection related to inflammation, perforation, and surgery. What is the rationale for choosing this nursing diagnosis?

Obstruction of the appendix reduces arterial flow, leading to ischemia, inflammation, and rupture of the appendix. A client with appendicitis is at Risk for infection related to inflammation, perforation, and surgery because obstruction of the appendix causes mucus fluid to build up, increasing pressure in the appendix and compressing venous outflow drainage. The pressure continues to rise with venous obstruction; arterial blood flow then decreases, leading to ischemia from lack of perfusion. Inflammation and bacterial growth follow, and swelling continues to raise pressure within the appendix, resulting in gangrene and rupture. Elderly, not middle-aged, clients are especially susceptible to appendix rupture.

The nurse is caring for a client with intussusception of the bowel. What does the nurse understand occurs with this disorder?

One part of the intestine telescopes into another portion of the intestine. In intussusception of the bowel, one part of the intestine telescopes into another portion of the intestine. When the bowel twists and turns itself and obstructs the intestinal lumen, this is known as a volvulus. A hernia is when the bowel protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. An adhesion is a loop of intestine that adheres to an area that is healing slowly after surgery.

The nurse is monitoring a client's postoperative course after an appendectomy. The nurse's assessment reveals that the client has vomited, has abdominal tenderness and rigidity, and has tachycardia. The nurse reports to the physician that the client has signs/symptoms of which complication?

Peritonitis The nurse should report to the physician that the client has signs/symptoms of peritonitis. Signs/symptoms of a pelvic abscess include anorexia, chills, fever, diaphoresis, and diarrhea. Signs/symptoms of an ileus include absent bowel sounds, nausea, and abdominal distention. Signs/symptoms of hemorrhage include tachycardia, hypotension, anxiety, and bleeding.