Practice questions

The nurse knows that the serum amylase concentration returns to normal within which time frame?

48 hours

A client with a history of alcohol abuse comes to the emergency department and complains of abdominal pain. Laboratory studies help confirm a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The client's vital signs are stable, but the client's pain is worsening and radiating to his back. Which intervention takes priority for this client?

Administering morphine I.V. as ordered

Which is a clinical manifestation of cholelithiasis?

Clay-colored stools

What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the client with acute pancreatitis?

Deficient fluid volume

Which is one of the primary symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Diarrhea

A nurse has admitted a client suspected of having acute pancreatitis. The nurse knows that mild acute pancreatitis is characterized by:

Edema and inflammation

The nurse assesses a patient who recently had a nasoenteric intubation. Symptoms of oliguria, lethargy, and tachycardia in the patient would indicate to the nurse what common complication?

Fluid volume deficit

Which condition in a client with pancreatitis makes it necessary for the nurse to check fluid intake and output, check hourly urine output, and monitor electrolyte levels?

Frequent vomiting, leading to loss of fluid volume

Which condition is most likely to have a nursing diagnosis of fluid volume deficit?

Pancreatitis

A client being treated for pancreatitis faces the risk of atelectasis. Which of the following interventions would be important to implement to minimize this risk?

Reposition the client every 2 hours.

A client comes to the ED with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The physician plans to rule out acute pancreatitis. The nurse would expect the diagnosis to be confirmed by an elevated result on which laboratory test?

Serum amylase

The nurse is assessing a client for constipation. Which factor should the nurse review first to identify the cause of constipation?

Usual pattern of elimination

A client with chronic pancreatitis is treated for uncontrolled pain. Which complication does the nurse recognize is most common in the client with chronic pancreatitis?

Weight loss

A nurse discusses risk factors of cholelithiasis with a client. Which risk factors will the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.

-Changes in weight -Cystic fibrosis -Diabetes -Obesity

Which term most precisely refers to the incision of the common bile duct for removal of stones?

Choledocholithotomy

A morbidly obese client asks the nurse if medications are available to assist with weight loss. The nurse knows that the client would not be a candidate for phentermine if the following is part of the client's health history:

Coronary artery disease

A client with suspected biliary obstruction due to gallstones reports changes to the color of his stools. Which stool color does the nurse recognize as common to biliary obstruction?

Gray

A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client undergoing a cholecystectomy. Which topic should the nurse include in her teaching plan?

Increase respiratory effectiveness.

A patient visited a nurse practitioner because he had diarrhea for 2 weeks. He described his stool as large and greasy. The nurse knows that this description is consistent with a diagnosis of:

Intestinal malabsorption.

A client recovering from gastric bypass surgery accidentally removes the nasogastric tube. What is the best action by the nurse?

Notify the surgeon about the tube's removal.

A nurse practitioner prescribes drug therapy for a patient with peptic ulcer disease. Choose the drug that can be used for 4 weeks and has a 90% chance of healing the ulcer.

Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Which condition is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in clients with acute pancreatitis?

Pancreatic necrosis

A client with acute pancreatitis reports muscle cramping in the lower extremities. What pathophysiology concept represents the reason the client is reporting this?

Tetany related to hypocalcemia

What type of feedings should be administered to a client who is at risk of diarrhea due to hypertonic feeding solutions?

continuous feedings

The nurse conducts discharge education for a client who is to go home with parenteral nutrition (PN). The nurse determines the client understands the education when the client indicates a sign and/or symptom of metabolic complications is

loose, watery stools.