Fundamentals Ch. 47
Which complication may result from a patient who regularly ingests castor oil to relieve constipation? Abdominal cramping Constipation Fluid and electrolyte imbalance Damage to the intestinal mucosa Toxic buildup of magnesium
Abdominal cramping Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
The nurse is assessing a 55-year-old patient who is in the clinic for a routine physical. When would the nurse instruct the patient about the need to obtain a stool specimen for guaiac fecal occult blood testing (gFOBT)? If patient reports rectal bleeding If there is a family history of polyps As part of a routine examination for colon cancer If a palpable mass is detected on digital examination
As part of a routine examination for colon cancer
Which medication is used to treat hyperactive bowel disorder? Atropine Polycarbophil Casanthranol Docusate calcium
Atropine
What are the normal constituents of feces? Mucus Worms Bile pigment Dead bacteria Cells lining the intestinal mucosa
Bile pigment Dead bacteria Cells lining the intestinal mucosa
Which laxative is most likely to be used in a patient who is suffering from constipation due to frequent opioid use? Psyllium Castor oil Lactulose Magnesium hydroxide
Castor oil
Where does normal defecation begin? Anus Colon Stomach Small intestine
Colon
The nurse is educating a 56-year-old patient about the screening guidelines for the early detection of colorectal cancer in average-risk asymptomatic people as specified by the American Cancer Society. At which frequency should the nurse advise the patient to get a double-contrast barium enema done? Annual, starting at age 50 Biannual, starting at age 50 Every 5 years, starting at age 50 Every 10 years, starting at age 50
Every 5 years, starting at age 50
Which condition may be caused by frequent straining during defecation? Flatulence Constipation Hemorrhoids Fecal incontinence
Hemorrhoids
Which medication is considered to be a bulk-forming laxative? Bisacodyl Methylcellulose Docusate sodium Magnesium hydroxide
Methylcellulose
What is true regarding the bowel preparation associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? No bowel preparation required Enema to empty out stool particles Laxatives the day before the procedure No food or fluids given orally 4 to 6 hours before the examination
No food or fluids given orally 4 to 6 hours before the examination
A nurse looks at the findings of a patient's stool analysis. Which findings in the report indicate an abnormality? Fat Pus Mucus Bile pigment Cells lining intestinal mucosa
Pus Mucus
A patient is admitted for lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. What color of stool would the nurse anticipate the patient to have? Red Black Green Orange
Red
Which tube is appropriate as an intervention for bleeding esophageal varices? Ewald Dobhoff Miller-Abbott Sengstaken-Blakemore
Sengstaken-Blakemore
A nurse cares for a patient who has been prescribed a saline-based agent. What is the nurse most likely to infer from this? The patient is suffering from hemorrhoids. The patient is being treated for mild diarrhea. The patient is suffering from chronic constipation. The patient is scheduled for an endoscopic examination the next day.
The patient is scheduled for an endoscopic examination the next day.
A patient presents with acute abdominal pain. The nurse suspects the presence of bowel necrosis in this patient. What would the nurse expect to find in the laboratory test report? The bilirubin level is increased. The serum amylase is increased. The carcinoembryonic antigen level is increased. The alkaline phosphatase levels are increased.
The serum amylase is increased.
During a history intake assessment, a patient describes stools as soft and smooth, like a sausage. According to the Bristol stool form scale, what would be the classification of these stools? Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type 7
Type 4
The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with diarrhea. What could be the possible causes of diarrhea in the patient? Use of opioid drugs Use of antibiotics Food allergies Prolonged stress Hypothyroidism
Use of antibiotics Food allergies Prolonged stress
A patient is admitted with diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). Which question should the nurse ask to obtain the most helpful information about the cause of the dysentery? "Are you taking any antibiotics?" "Do you ever go barefoot outside your home?" "Have you traveled to any foreign countries lately?" "Does anyone else in your family have bowel problems?"
"Are you taking any antibiotics?"
The primary health care provider prescribes guaiac fecal occult blood testing for a patient who reports constipation and a family history of colon cancer. Which instruction should be provided to the patient? "Avoid eating red meat for 3 days before testing." "Repeat the test at least two times on two separate bowel movements." "Take vitamin C supplements and citrus fruits and juices before the test." "Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for 4 days before the test."
"Avoid eating red meat for 3 days before testing."
A nurse is caring for a pregnant patient who is prescribed a stool softener that increases the secretion of water by the intestine. Which statements if made by the nurse about the prescribed medication are correct? "It is only for acute emptying of the bowel." "It is the drug of choice for chronic constipation." "It is a short-term therapy to relieve straining on defecation." "It lowers the surface tension of feces, allowing water and fat to penetrate." "Chronic use of this medication could cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances."
"It is a short-term therapy to relieve straining on defecation." "It lowers the surface tension of feces, allowing water and fat to penetrate."
A nursing student compares the guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) with the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for measuring microscopic amounts of blood in the feces. Which statement if made by the nursing student is correct? "The guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is a more sensitive test than the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), but it is also more expensive." "Both tests call for the patients consuming citrus fruits and juices for 3 days before testing to avoid false-negative result." "The guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) has no dietary restrictions, whereas the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) requires the patient to refrain from eating red meat for 3 days before testing." "Only the guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) can give a false positive result if the patient takes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs right before testing; the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) has no such restrictions."
"Only the guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) can give a false positive result if the patient takes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs right before testing; the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) has no such restrictions."
While inspecting the area around a patient's anus, the nurse notices lesions, discoloration, inflammation, and dilated, engorged veins in the rectum. Which instruction provided by the nurse will help manage the patient's condition? "Take codeine, as prescribed." "Take loperamide, as prescribed." "Take warm sitz baths frequently." "Include meats and carbohydrates in your diet." "Perform regular exercise and drink at least 1.5 L of fluid per day."
"Take warm sitz baths frequently." "Perform regular exercise and drink at least 1.5 L of fluid per day."
A nursing student is learning about the steps to be performed during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure. Which statement if made by the nursing student indicates effective learning? "The patient should be screened for metal." "The patient should be instructed to not take any sedatives the day of the test." "The patient should stop drinking fluids 1 to 3 hours before an examination." "A patient with a pacemaker can have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure."
"The patient should be screened for metal."
Which patient needs to use a fracture pan for a bowel movement? The patient who is obese The patient experiencing confusion The patient on bed rest A patient recovering from hip surgery
A patient recovering from hip surgery
Which patient has the highest risk of constipation? A patient who is taking antibiotics A patient who is taking opioid analgesics A patient who has undergone endoscopy A patient who drinks only 1.5 L of fluids per day
A patient who is taking opioid analgesics
Which patient benefits the most from an enema prepared with a hypertonic solution? A patient who is dehydrated A patient who is a young infant A patient who is unable to tolerate large volumes of fluid A patient who is suffering from acute inflammation in the lower colon
A patient who is unable to tolerate large volumes of fluid
Which procedures require the patient to undergo a bowel-cleansing program before they can be performed? Colonoscopy Anorectal manometry Fecal immunochemical test Guaiac fecal occult blood test Computerized tomographic colonography
Colonoscopy Computerized tomographic colonography
A mother reports that her baby passes stools five times daily. How should the nurse handle this situation? Promote maternal intake of a high-fiber diet. Advise the mother to shift to bottle feeding. Administer a dose of antidiarrheal medication. Convince the mother that this is normal for infants.
Convince the mother that this is normal for infants.
The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old man with diarrhea. Which problem is the most important to consider? Malnutrition Dehydration Skin breakdown Incontinence
Dehydration
A nurse is caring for a patient who recently underwent abdominal surgery. Which actions taken by the nurse will help prevent constipation in this patient? Performing a bowel preparation Encouraging ambulation as early as possible Increasing the amount of fluids in the patient's diet Elevating the head of the patient's bed 35 to 40 degrees Establishing a regular defecation schedule for the patient
Encouraging ambulation as early as possible Increasing the amount of fluids in the patient's diet Establishing a regular defecation schedule for the patient
Which is an example of a diagnostic test that uses direct visualization of the gastrointestinal tract? Endoscopy Barium enema Colonic transit study Anorectal manometry
Endoscopy
A nurse is discussing common bowel elimination problems. Which statement indicates effective understanding of the difference between fecal impaction and fecal incontinence? Fecal impaction may occur due to antibiotic therapy, whereas fecal incontinence may occur due to opiate therapy. Fecal impaction is the accumulation of gas in the lumen of the intestines, whereas fecal incontinence is the inability to control the passage of feces and gas from the anus. Fecal impaction is common in debilitated, confused, or unconscious patients, whereas fecal incontinence is common in patients with impaired cognitive function. Fecal impaction is characterized by loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting, and rectal pain, whereas fecal incontinence is characterized by abdominal distention and severe, sharp abdominal pain.
Fecal impaction is common in debilitated, confused, or unconscious patients, whereas fecal incontinence is common in patients with impaired cognitive function.
Which are defining characteristics of constipation? Firm left abdominal quadrant Feeling of abdominal fullness No bowel movement for 4 days Difficulty controlling the urge to defecate Abdominal distention and severe, sharp pain
Firm left abdominal quadrant Feeling of abdominal fullness No bowel movement for 4 days
The nurse is taking care of a patient who is bedridden. The patient complains of constipation. Which food items should the nurse include in the patient's diet to relieve constipation? Refined grains Fresh fruits Broccoli Cauliflower Beans
Fresh fruits Broccoli Cauliflower Beans
A nurse is preparing to administer an enema to a patient who is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which action taken by the nurse may lead to a complication? Giving the enema with the patient sitting on the toilet Giving the enema with the patient positioned on a bedpan Refraining from sterile technique while administering the enema Asking the patient to retain the enema solution for a specific length of time
Giving the enema with the patient sitting on the toilet
A nurse has been assigned to care for a patient who has been prescribed docusate calcium. What conditions would warrant the issuing of this laxative? Hemorrhoids Perianal surgery Low-residue diet Suspected poisoning Endoscopic examination
Hemorrhoids Perianal surgery
What signs manifest in infants and young children who are dehydrated? Dizziness High fever Sunken eyes Light-headedness Dry eyes when crying Listlessness or irritability
High fever Sunken eyes Dry eyes when crying Listlessness or irritability
A patient reports passing black and tarry stools. Which conditions should be evaluated in the patient? Iron ingestion Lower GI bleeding Upper GI bleeding Spastic constipation Malabsorption of fat
Iron ingestion Upper GI bleeding
While assessing a patient before administering an enema, the nurse inspects the patient's abdomen for distention. What is the purpose of this nursing intervention? It allows the nurse to plan for appropriate teaching measures. It helps determine the number and type of enemas to be given. It helps determine conditions that contraindicate the use of enemas. It provides a baseline for determining the effectiveness of the enema.
It provides a baseline for determining the effectiveness of the enema.
A primary health care provider prescribes a normal saline enema for a patient. What should the nurse understand about the effects of this enema? It will soften the feces. It will distend the colon. It will stimulate peristalsis. It will irritate the colonic mucosa. It will lubricate the colonic mucosa.
It will soften the feces. It will distend the colon. It will stimulate peristalsis.
A patient is brought to the emergency room following the consumption of poison. The primary health care provider instructs the nurse to administer cathartics. Which cathartic should the nurse use in this situation? Bisacodyl Castor oil Docusate calcium Magnesium citrate
Magnesium citrate
A patient is suffering from renal dysfunction and constipation. Which medication should the nurse avoid in this patient when managing the constipation? Mineral oil Docusate calcium Docusate potassium Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide
Which substance may cause complications for a patient who has kidney dysfunction? Castor oil Mineral oil Docusate sodium Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide
Which enema is used in infants and children? Soapsuds enema Tap water enema Normal saline enema Hypertonic solution enema
Normal saline enema
A patient reports passing narrow pencil-shaped stools over the past few days. Which conditions should the patient be evaluated for? Pancreatitis Obstructions Malabsorption Absence of bile Rapid peristalsis
Obstructions Rapid peristalsis
A nurse cares for a patient who has pancreatic cancer. Which stool finding is consistent with the patient's disorder? Pus Blood Mucus Oily stool
Oily stool
A patient has been diagnosed with malabsorption of fat from the intestine. What would be the color of the patient's stool? Black Clay-colored Pale and oily White-colored
Pale and oily
A nurse cares for a patient who is about to receive a Sengstaken-Blakemore nasogastric tube. What is most likely to be the purpose behind this type of intubation? Irrigation of the stomach in cases of active bleeding Removal of secretions and gaseous substances from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract Prevention of internal esophageal or gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage using pressure Instillation of liquid nutritional supplement into stomach for patients with impaired swallowing
Prevention of internal esophageal or gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage using pressure
A nurse cares for a patient who has been advised by the health care provider to get a guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) done. Which step would the nurse instruct the patient to follow in order to minimize the possibility of getting a false-negative test result? Take vitamin C supplements for 7 days before the test. Refrain from consuming red meat on the day of testing. Refrain from consuming citrus fruits and juices 3 days before the test. Refrain from taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs 7 days before the test.
Refrain from consuming citrus fruits and juices 3 days before the test.
During a colonoscopy, the primary health care provider finds a single polyp in the patient. Which interventions would the nurse anticipate to be performed? Removal of growth Cauterization of the growth Institution of cryotherapy Sample collection for pathological analysis Waiting and watching the single lesion
Removal of growth Sample collection for pathological analysis
A patient confesses to the nurse that he or she has been using a particular laxative for so long that defecation has become almost impossible without using the agent. Which laxative is most likely to cause this dependence? Senna Polycarbophil Docusate calcium Polyethylene glycol
Senna
Upon auscultating the abdomen of a patient with a stethoscope, the nurse hears high-pitched and hyperactive bowel sounds. What might this indicate? Small intestine obstruction Normal bowel activity Fluid or gas within the abdomen Effects of abdominal surgery
Small intestine obstruction
Which is an osmotic agent used to treat constipation? Polycarbophil Casanthranol Docusate potassium Sodium phosphate
Sodium phosphate
The nurse is explaining to a patient with gastritis about the various physiological functions of the stomach. Which statements pertain to the functions of the stomach? Storage of food Reabsorption of nutrients Secretion of intrinsic factor Production of hydrochloric acid Mucus secretion to aid protein digestion
Storage of food Secretion of intrinsic factor Production of hydrochloric acid
