Chapter 38

Which nursing instruction is correct to provide the client following a barium enema?

The stools may be a white or clay colored.

When bowel sounds are heard about every 15 seconds, the nurse would record that the bowel sounds are

normal

A client with a gastrointestinal condition asks why the mouth needs to be examined. Which response will the nurse make?

"Changes in the mouth can help explain why your condition is occurring."

Which procedure is performed to examine and visualize the lumen of the small bowel?

small bowel enteroscopy

A client asks the nurse why the physician ordered the blood test carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The nurse answers:

"It indicates if a cancer is present."

When completing a nutritional assessment of a patient who is admitted for a GI disorder, the nurse notes a recent history of dietary intake. This is based on the knowledge that a portion of digested waste products can remain in the rectum for how many days after a meal is digested?

3 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.

The nurse is preparing to examine the abdomen of a client with reports of nausea and vomiting. What action would the nurse perform first?

Inspection

After 20 seconds of auscultating for bowel sounds on a client recovering from abdominal surgery, the nurse hears nothing. What should the nurse do based on the assessment findings?

Listen longer for the sounds.

A client with a recent history of rectal bleeding is being prepared for a colonoscopy. Initially, how should the nurse position the client for this test?

Lying on the left side with knees bent

A client tells the nurse that the stool was colored yellow. The nurse assesses the client for

recent foods ingested.

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

A client is scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal barium study. Which teaching will the nurse provide for the client to prepare for this diagnostic test?

Ingest nothing by mouth after midnight.

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of the client with an undiagnosed disorder. In which sequence would the nurse conduct the abdominal assessment? Use all options.

Inspection Auscultation Percussion Palpation

The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a percutaneous liver biopsy. Which diagnostic test is obtained prior?

Prothrombin time (PT)

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

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

A nurse is giving a client barium swallow test. What is the most important assessment a nurse would make to ensure that a client does not retain any barium after a barium swallow?

Monitoring the stool passage and its color.

While preparing a client for an upper GI endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), the nurse should implement which interventions? Choose all that apply.

Tell the client he shouldn't eat or drink for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure. Inform the client that he will receive a sedative before the procedure.

The nurse prepares a client for a barium enema. The nurse should place the client on which diet prior to the procedure?

clear liquids day before

The nurse cares for a client after a gastroscopy for which the client received sedation. The nurse should report which finding to the physician?

difficulty swallowing

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

The nurse prepares to administer the lavage solution to a client having a colonoscopy completed. The nurse stops and notifies the physician when noting that the client has which condition?

inflammatory bowel disease

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."

A client is scheduled for a barium enema later in the day. Which actions will the nurse take to prepare the client on the morning of the test? Select all that apply.

Provide cleansing enemas until clear Maintain nothing by mouth until after the test

A client is to have an upper GI procedure with barium ingestion and abdominal ultrasonography. While scheduling these diagnostic tests, the nurse must consider which factor?

The ultrasonography should be scheduled before the GI procedure.

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

The instructor has just finished teaching a group of students about the various organs of the upper gastrointestinal tract and possible disorders. The instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which structure as possibly being affected?

Stomach

Which of the following digestive enzymes aids in the digesting of starch?

Amylase

Which neuroregulator increase gastric acid secretion?

acetylcholine

The major carbohydrate that tissue cells use as fuel is

glucose.

An enzyme that begins the digestion of starches is

ptyalin.

A client is scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During the client teaching, what will the nurse discuss?

"Do you experience any claustrophobia?"

When examining the skin of a client who is dehydrated due to fluid losses from the gastrointestinal tract, which of the following would be most important?

Checking if the mucous membranes are dry

The nurse teaches a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which instruction should be included as part of the preparation for the procedure?

Follow the dietary and fluid restrictions and bowel preparation procedures.

A client with a gastrointestinal condition is prescribed a stool guaiac for fecal occult blood. Which instructions will the nurse provide the client about this test? Select all that apply.

Do not take any aspirin for 72 hours before the test. Avoid ingesting red meat for 72 hours before the test.

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.

What part of the GI tract begins the digestion of food?

Mouth

Which of the following is an enzyme secreted by the gastric mucosa?

Pepsin

A client undergoing a diagnostic examination for gastrointestinal disorder was given polyethylene glycol/electrolyte solution as a part of the test preparation. Which of the following measures should the nurse take once the solution is administered?

Permit the client to drink only clear liquids.

The nurse determines a client scheduled to undergo an abdominal ultrasonography should receive which instruction?

Restrict eating of solid food for 6 to 8 hours before the test.

A client with abdominal pain is scheduled for a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast. Which assessment will the nurse complete before transporting the client for the diagnostic test?

History of allergies

The nurse auscultates the abdomen to assess bowel sounds. She documents five to six sounds heard in less than 30 seconds. How does the nurse document the bowel sounds?

Hyperactive

The nurse is preparing the client for an assessment of the abdomen. What should the nurse complete prior to this assessment?

Ask the client to empty the bladder.

The nurse recognizes which change of the GI system is an age-related change?

weakened gag reflex

The nurse asks a client to point to where pain is felt. The client asks why this is important. What is the nurse's best response?

"Often the area of pain is referred from another area."

The nurse is working with clients with digestive tract disorders. Which of the following organs does the nurse realize has effects as an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland?

Pancreas

The nurse is assisting the health care provider with a gastric acid stimulation test for a client. What medication should the nurse prepare to administer subcutaneously to stimulate gastric secretions?

Pentagastrin

Which enzyme aids in the digestion of protein?

trypsin

A client reports a history of bleeding hemorrhoids to the nurse. Which observation supports the client's statement?

Blood streaks on stool

While palpating a client's right upper quadrant (RUQ), the nurse would expect to find which structure?

Liver

Which of the following is the most definitive means of assessing for liver disease?

Biopsy

Which term describes a gastric secretion that combines with vitamin B12 so that it can be absorbed?

intrinsic factor