the rest

The nurse discovers the presence of hypoactive bowel sounds in a patient during a wellness check-up. The patient denies pain or discomfort and insists, "I feel fine. I don't have any health problems." What advice will the nurse give to the patient? Select all that apply. 1 "Drink chamomile tea daily." 2 "Increase fiber intake in your diet." 3 "Take part in regular physical activity." 4 "Undergo a surgical procedure to improve peristalsis." 5 "Closely observe stools for presence of blood following every bowel movement."

2 "Increase fiber intake in your diet." 3 "Take part in regular physical activity."

The nurse reviews the medications taken by a patient who is scheduled for bowel surgery in five days. Which type of medication does the nurse determine may interfere with various aspects of the wound healing process? 1 Statins 2 Steroids 3 Antihypertensives 4 Estrogen replacement

2 Steroids Steroids may mask the signs of wound infection because they inhibit the inflammatory process. Statins, antihypertensives, and estrogen replacement should have no adverse effects on wound healing.

The nurse is giving dietary advice to a patient to soften the consistency of the patient's stool. What foods does the nurse emphasize for the patient's diet? Select all that apply. 1 Beer 2 Water 3 Yogurt 4 Spicy foods 5 Caffeinated beverages

2 Water 4 Spicy foods 5 Caffeinated beverages To soften the consistency of stool, the nurse encourages the patient to have caffeinated beverages, water, and spicy foods. Yogurt is used to decrease stool odor. Beer may increase the odor of stool and so is discouraged.

A teenage patient from Ghana is receiving treatment for diarrhea. The nurse finds that the patient is not used to hand washing. What is appropriate advice given by the nurse? 1 "You must wash your hands; did you get that?" 2 "You should wash your hands, as it prevents many infections." 3 "Hand washing makes your hands clean and removes dirt and filthy germs." 4 "You are more likely to catch sexually transmitted diseases if you don't wash your hands."

3 "Hand washing makes your hands clean and removes dirt and filthy germs."

Which medications does the nurse anticipate will be beneficial for the patient who complains of frequent loose stools? Select all that apply. 1 Senna 2 Bisacodyl 3 Lubiprostone 4 Difenoxin hydrochloride with atropine sulfate 5 Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine sulfate

4 Difenoxin hydrochloride with atropine sulfate 5 Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine sulfate Diarrhea is a condition that involves frequent passage of watery stools. Antidiarrheals such as difenoxin hydrochloride with atropine sulfate and diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine sulfate are used to treat diarrhea and may be beneficial for the patient. Senna and bisacodyl are stimulant laxatives, which stimulate the nerves into large bowel movements and relieve constipation. Lubiprostone is a laxative used for chronic constipation. This medication reduces abdominal pain and increases the frequency of bowel movements.

The nurse is preparing a body for transportation to the funeral home. What nursing intervention is helpful in managing leakage of stool and urine due to the relaxation of the sphincters? 1 Washing the body with water 2 Surgical securing of sphincters 3 Spraying perfume on the perineum 4 Placing protective pads under the rectum

4 Placing protective pads under the rectum When preparing the body for sending to funeral home, the nurse should ensure the body is clean. Protective pads should be placed under the rectum and between the legs to protect drainage from rectum and urethra. Surgical securing in a dead body is not feasible and may not be acceptable to the family members. Washing may be helpful but will not take care of further drainage of stool and urine. Spraying perfume on the perineum is not effective in preventing spillage.

The patient is admitted with dehydration due to severe diarrhea. The nurse anticipates the provider will order which intravenous fluid? 1 5% dextrose in water 2 5% dextrose in 0.45% saline 3 5% dextrose in 0.225% saline 4 5% dextrose in Ringer's lactate

5% dextrose in Ringer's lactate The 5% dextrose in Ringer's lactate solution treats dehydration associated with severe diarrhea. Despite being used in some intravenous piggyback medication uses, 5% dextrose in water is not effective in treating dehydration due to severe diarrhea. The 5% dextrose in 0.45% and 0.225% saline solutions are used to maintain fluids postoperatively and are not effective in treating dehydration associated with severe diarrhea.

A nurse notes that a patient has not had a stool for 2 days. Which should be the initial action of the nurse? 1 Offer the patient an enema. 2 Give the patient a stool softener. 3 Ask about the patient's normal bowel pattern. 4 Ask the physician to order a gastrointestinal (GI) consult.

Ask about the patient's normal bowel pattern. It is normal for many people to have a bowel movement only every 2 to 3 days. Asking about the patient's normal bowel pattern should be the nurse's initial action. Additional patient information should be obtained prior to offering an enema, giving a stool softener, or scheduling a GI consult.

What are Interventions for a patient with diarrhea? 1 Soft diet 2 Limit fluids 3 Clear liquid diet 4 Monitoring of electrolytes every 10 days

Clear liquid diet

A nurse observes a student nurse caring for a patient with diarrhea. Which quality in the student nurse reflects cognitive maturity? 1 Making care decisions without other team members 2 Considering multiple solutions for the patient's condition 3 Asking the primary health care provider to suggest a proper treatment 4 Excessive thinking about the patient's condition before making any care decisions

Considering multiple solutions for the patient's condition Nursing requires critical thinking, and critical thinking requires cognitive maturity. Maturity is demonstrated by considering multiple solutions to a patient's condition, including the suggestions of others, and choosing the appropriate action. Excessively thinking about the patient without making any care decisions will not facilitate the patient's healing process. A nurse should feel free to seek information from the primary health care provider, but must also rely on the nurse's own decision-making skills to care for the patient. A nurse should have a good rapport with other members of the team and should take their suggestions when appropriate.

A patient is admitted to the nursing unit with complaints of difficulty in breathing, difficulty in passing stools, rashes on the skin, and bruises. Which one of the four complaints does the nurse prioritize and attend to first? 1 Rashes on skin 2 Bruises on the body 3 Difficulty in breathing 4 Difficulty in passing stools

Difficulty in breathing Priorities of care are set so that the most important interventions for the high-priority problems for each patient are attended to first. In this case, the nurse first attends to difficulty in breathing as it could be life threatening. The nurse can later address lower-priority conditions such as difficulty in passing stools, bruises on the body, and rashes on skin.

Which condition does the nurse suspect in a patient who reports having bloody stool? Select all that apply. 1 Diverticulitis 2 Paralytic ileus 3 Fecal impaction 4 Ulcerative colitis 5 Fecal incontinence

Diverticulitis Ulcerative colitis Diverticulitis is a painful condition in which pouches (diverticula) are formed in the wall of the colon, causing inflammation that results in bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that is characterized by ulcers and symptoms like diarrhea mixed with blood. The nurse suspects diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis to be the cause of bloody stools. A paralytic ileus is an obstruction of the intestine due to paralysis of the intestine; it prevents the passage of intestinal contents such as feces and fluid. Fecal impaction is a condition in which the rectum or sigmoid colon is filled with hardened fecal material. Fecal incontinence is the lack of voluntary control over the anal sphincter.

A nurse is caring for an older adult patient with diarrhea. What should the nurse remember about elderly patients with diarrhea? 1 Elderly patients are extremely intolerant of diarrhea. 2 Elderly patients must be given bulk-forming laxatives. 3 Elderly patients should avoid clear liquids during episodes of diarrhea. 4 Elderly patients become dehydrated more quickly than younger adults.

Elderly patients become dehydrated more quickly than younger adults.

A patient is suffering from diarrhea. What acts as the reservoir in this scenario? 1 Feces 2 Sputum 3 Inhaled air 4 Wound dressings

Feces A reservoir is a place where microorganisms are found. In this scenario, the patient is suffering from diarrhea. The reservoir is the patient's feces. It may also be a vehicle of transmission of infection. These organisms will not be present in the sputum, inhaled air, or in wound dressings.

A patient complains of vomiting and diarrhea. The clinical reports of the patient reveal thrombocytopenia and acute kidney failure. Upon further assessment, the patient was found to be infected with Escherichia coli O157:H7. Which condition does the nurse suspect in the patient? 1 Endometritis 2 Gastroenteritis 3 Legionnaire's disease 4 Hemolytic uremic syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome Vomiting, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney failure are the signs and symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is caused by infection from Escherichia coli O157:H7 and results in the early destruction of red blood cells, which clog the filters in the kidneys and result in kidney failure. Endometritis is the inflammation of the uterus, which is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Legionnaire's disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila.

The nurse notes that a patient often passes stools streaked with bright red blood. What is the most likely cause of the presence of brown stool streaked with bright red blood? 1 Hemorrhoid 2 Liver abnormality 3 Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding 4 Eating red foods, such as beets

Hemorrhoid Formed brown stool (normal) that has small streaks of red blood on the outer surface of the stool suggests that the blood is associated with a hemorrhoid. Bright red blood mixed in the stool is a sign of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding that occurred in the large intestine. Eating red foods, such as beets, often makes the entire stool red. Liver abnormality is indicated by a pale white or light gray stool.

The nurse is caring for a patient with diarrhea. During a phone call, someone asks the nurse about the patient's condition. The nurse reveals everything about the patient's condition without verifying if it's a family member on the call. What term is used to describe such a situation? 1 Libel 2 Slander 3 Invasion of privacy 4 False Imprisonment

Invasion of privacy Invasion of privacy occurs when unauthorized persons learn of the patient's history, condition, or treatment from the professional caregiver. It might include the nurse giving information over the telephone to a caller who asks about the patient's condition. Preventing a person from leaving, or restricting a person's movements in the facility, is false imprisonment. Slander is a rumor that spreads by word of mouth but is not published anywhere. An example of libel is a letter or newspaper article quotation stating that a person is incompetent or dishonest.

The nurse reports that her patient's stools are black and tarry. How should the nurse document the stool? 1 Melena 2 Steatorrhea 3 Blood-tinged 4 Hemorrhagic

Melena Melena occurs as blood moves through the stomach or small intestine; it undergoes partial digestion, which changes it to a dark, tarry substance (melena). Blood-tinged is not a correct description. Steatorrhea is stools with an abnormally high fat content that float on water. Hemorrhagic is not a correct description.

During an intake assessment, the patient tells the nurse she has been "passing light gray bowel movements" for the past week. What does the nurse say may be causing the light gray stools? "It could be a liver abnormality."

Pale white or light gray stool usually occurs because there is an obstruction in the bile or common duct leading to the intestine from the liver and gallbladder. It suggests a liver abnormality. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in the large intestine is manifested as bright red blood mixed in the stool. Formed brown stool (normal) with small streaks of red blood on the outer surface of the stool suggests a hemorrhoid. Eating red foods, such as beets, often makes the entire stool red.

A patient complains of bright red blood in the stool. What does the nurse suspect as the cause of this condition? Select all that apply. 1 Slimy appearance of the stool 2 Absence of bile in the intestine 3 Recent gastrointestinal bleeding 4 Irritation or inflammation in the intestine 5 Undigested blood in the upper part of the bowel

Recent gastrointestinal bleeding Undigested blood in the upper part of the bowel Bright red blood mixed in the stool is a sign of recent gastrointestinal bleeding. This indicates that the blood was not digested in the upper part of the bowel nor has it been in the intestinal tract for a prolonged period. The nurse suspects these conditions to be the cause of the bright red stool. A slimy appearance of the stool is due to coating with unusual amounts of mucus. Unusual amounts of mucus in the stool indicate irritation or inflammation of the inner surface of the intestine. Pale white or light gray stool indicates the absence of bile in the intestine due to obstruction in the bile duct leading to the intestine from the liver and gallbladder.

A nurse is measuring the urine and liquid stool of a patient with a graduated container. What is the rationale behind this? 1 The nurse is cleaning the room for hygiene. 2 The nurse is measuring the patient's output. 3 The nurse is checking the output for color changes. 4 The nurse is checking the output for microorganisms.

The nurse is measuring the patient's output. Intake and output (I&O) are measured and recorded whenever a patient has a potential or an actual fluid balance problem. A graduated container measures all liquid output accurately. Color changes can be assessed without handling the patient's output. Examination of urine for microorganisms is done by diagnostic tests. The graduated container that the nurse is using is not used to clean the urine or stool of a patient.

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted for observation due to abdominal pain. Stool sample testing reveals the presence of pus. What will the nurse interpret from this finding? 1 The patient has colorectal cancer. 2 The patient has liver abnormalities. 3 The patient has gastrointestinal bleeding. 4 The patient has an infected or inflamed ulcer.

The patient has an infected or inflamed ulcer. The presence of pus indicates drainage of an inflamed or infected ulcer. Liver abnormalities are indicated by pale white or light gray stool. Gastrointestinal bleeding manifests as fresh, bright red blood in the stool. Colorectal cancer manifests as continued constipation and rectal bleeding.

A nurse is caring for a patient with severe diarrhea. What symptoms should the nurse look for? Select all that apply. 1 Thick saliva 2 Blood in the stool 3 Vitamin C deficiency 4 Decreased skin turgor 5 Sudden rise in blood pressure

Thick saliva Decreased skin turgor

Which factors cause diarrhea? Select all that apply. 1 Anxiety 2 Ulcerative colitis 3 Barium radiographs 4 Lack of dietary fiber 5 Gastric bypass surgery

Ulcerative colitis Gastric bypass surgery Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by symptoms like ulcers, abdominal pain, and diarrhea mixed with blood. After gastric bypass surgery, food empties quickly into the intestine, leading to dumping syndrome and diarrhea. Anxiety, worry, or fear may decrease normal bowel functioning and cause constipation. A barium radiograph is a radiographic examination of the gastrointestinal tract. After the barium test, the patient may experience constipation and light-colored stools. A lack of sufficient fiber in the diet forms dry, hard, and small stools that affect normal bowel movement and cause constipation.

The nurse is caring for a patient with diarrhea. The patient tells the nurse, "I'm also using borage for diarrhea." What is an appropriate response by the nurse? 1 "It causes hepatotoxicity." 2 "It is not as effective for diarrhea." 3 "It should not be consumed with coffee." 4 "It contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids."

"It contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids." Borage contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause health complications. Borage is an antidiarrheal and may provide some relief for the patient suffering from diarrhea. There are no known effects if taken with coffee, and borage has not been shown to cause hepatotoxicity.

nurse gives dietary advice to a patient experiencing diarrhea from antibiotics. What foods will the nurse emphasize? Select all that apply. 1 Milk 2 Fruits 3 Yogurt 4 Buttermilk 5 Lean meat

-Yogurt -Buttermilk Patients who experience diarrhea from antibiotics should be counseled to eat yogurt, drink buttermilk, or take acidophilus when they begin taking antibiotics. Replacing the normal bacteria with those contained in these food products reestablishes the proper balance and stops the diarrhea. Milk may cause digestive problems in people with lactose intolerance. A high intake of lean meat is associated with constipation and is not helpful with diarrhea. Fruits are healthy but cannot restore the balance of normal bacteria from diarrhea.

The nurse is analyzing the characteristics of a patient's stool. Which substances indicate an abnormality? Select all that apply. 11 Blood 2 Mucus 3 Excess fat 4 Bile pigment 5 Dead bacteria

1 Blood 2 Mucus 3 Excess fat The presence of excess fat is an abnormal finding and indicates liver dysfunction. The presence of blood and mucus in the stool is an abnormal finding and is associated with internal bleeding, infection, and inflammation. Bile pigment and dead bacteria are normal constituents of fecal matter.

The nurse is examining a patient's stool for abnormalities. In addition to the stool's color, the nurse should be alert for the presence of which abnormal findings? Select all that apply. 1 Large amounts of fat 2 Large amounts of pus 3 Presence of parasites 4 Digested food particles 5 Large amount of mucous

1 Large amounts of fat 2 Large amounts of pus 3 Presence of parasites 5 Large amount of mucous A large amount of fat could be an indication that the body is not absorbing fats properly. Large amounts of pus would indicate an internal wound. Presence of parasites suggests abnormal activity in the intestines. Digested food particles are usually present in normal stool and do not indicate an abnormality.

A nurse is examining a patient who presents with color changes in the stool. What color changes in the stool will help the nurse to identify an abnormality? Select all that apply. 1 Red stool 2 Brown stool 3 Light gray stool 4 Pale white stool 5 Dark, tarry stool

1 Red stool 2 Brown stool 3 Light gray stool 4 Pale white stool 5 Dark, tarry stool Pale white or light gray stool indicates an absence of bile in the intestine and underlying liver problems. Dark, tarry stool indicates the presence of old blood. Red stool is often caused by eating red foods, such as beets, but may also indicate the presence of blood. Brown stool is considered normal and does not indicate any underlying health problems unless other symptoms are present.

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of developing diarrhea and vomiting after consuming dairy products. To which group(s) might the patient belong? Select all that apply. 1 Thai 2 Africans 3 Hispanics 4 Europeans 5 Native Americans

1 Thai 2 Africans 3 Hispanics The patient shows symptoms of lactose intolerance; the inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. This condition is most common in Asians, Africans, and Hispanics. It does not commonly occur in Native Americans or Europeans.

The nurse observes bright red blood in the stool of a 70-year-old patient. Identify possible causes of bright red blood in the stool. Select all that apply. 1 Ulcers 2 Cancer 3 Diarrhea 4 Constipation 5 Hemorrhoids

1 Ulcers 2 Cancer 3 Diarrhea 4 Constipation 5 Hemorrhoids Conditions that cause blood in the stool include hemorrhoids, cancer, hemorrhage from ulcers in the stomach or duodenum, and ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis. Diarrhea is not directly associated with blood in the stool. The symptoms of diarrhea include watery stool and frequent defecation. The symptoms of constipation include abdominal pain and hard stools.